DCM GAZETTECathode Emission 05

HAIL & FAREWELL

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 1

NTM-I Mission

Soldiers and sailors from the third rotation re-turned safely from Iraq after serving their tour of duty supporting NATO Training Mission in Baghdad and Ar Rustamiyah, Iraq (NTM-I). On 27 Feb DCM-A provided five troops to include SFC Matthew Olson, SSG Timo-thy Chaffin, SPC Marcel Bridgewater, ET3 Joshua Peterson, and IT3 Michael Dilone. The detachment was divided into two teams. SFC Olson, SPC Bridgewa-ter and IT3 Dilone operated from the NTM-I HQ inside the Green Zone. SSG Chaffin and ET3 Peterson operated outside of the Green Zone at Camp Cu-ervo. Both teams provided communications support that serviced over 200 workstations in two net-works, 170 mobile phones and resolved over 400 trou-ble tickets.

The Official Newsletter for DCM-A troops and their families Issue No.: 3

DCM-A troops deployed to San Clemente, Spain where they in-stalled, operated and maintained the Mobile Communications Module (MCM) under the ever changing weather that goes from high levels of humidity to heavy rains and strong winds from the late European summer that impacted their daily operations while supporting Cathode Emission Exercise.

The highly motivated troops departed a cool Naples on the morning of August 31, 2005 for their three-legged journey. On the first leg of the journey, they drove their 16 vehicles with trailers in four convoy serials from Naples to Civitavecchia. Each

convoy serial was managed by an NCO who controled the speed and distance of the convoy. "Maximum speed for this convoy is 70 Km per hour and the catch up speed is 75 Km/h." SGT Torres gave guidance to his drivers prior to mount up. Five hours later, they arrived at their port of em-barkation, Civitavecchia, Italy.

At the port, they loaded their equipment inside a large commercial ferry, Grimaldi for an 18 hour cruise on the calm Mediterranean Sea that would take them to their seaport desti-nation of Barcelona, Spain.

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We bid farewell to our comrades-in-arms as they continue with their journey of life:SSgt Aaron Smith, SFC Willie Wright (Japan), SK1 Jamie Martinez (Italy), TSgt Steven Smotzer (NCSA Sector), SSgt Frankie Woodard (NCSA Sector), SSgt Ryan Preble (NCSA Sector), PN2 Christopher Bashaw (NSE), SSgt Russell (Ger-many), SSgt Downin, SSG Kathy Tate (VA),

SGT Thomas Hernandez (GA), and SrA Boyles (NCSA Sector) In the same period, we welcomed several new members to the DCM family.SGM Timothy Vester, 82ND Airborne Div, Ft Bragg, NC; SFC Michael Graves, Ft Gordon, GA; SFC Ingrid Brooks, Ft Jackson, SC; SFC Frederick Clayton, Tyler, TX; (cont. on page 6)

21 September 2005, DCM-A troops pose for photo after EN-DEX inside General Alvarez de Castro Army Base in San Clemente, Spain in support of Ex-ercise Cathode Emission 2005.

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Lan Dalat, Captain US Army Signal Corps

This is a season of change. We changed over our responsibilities to support the NRF deployment in

July 05. We had our change in lead-ership at the battalion level in August 05. We bid farewell to the Spanish Navy Commander Jose Prats and his family and welcomed US Air Force Lt. Colonel Steven Mihalik and his family as Battalion Commander. Meanwhile at the DCM level, our USAF comrades de-parted the unit due to the change in NATO Peace-time Estab-lishement (PE) realignments within NCSA. US Army sol-diers will face many chal-lenges as they assume the re-sponsibilities from our USAF colleagues. We will profoundly miss our airmen who had greatly contrib-uted to the unit's missions in the past years. Airmen have been there with us in Persano, Italy during Allied Action 04, the largest exercise ever conducted in the Southern Region, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens for the Distinguished Games 04, on the HMS Invincible for Destined Glory 04, in Iraq supporting the NATO Training Mission - Iraq (NTM-I), on the Canary Islands for the first ever NRF Operational Rehearsal Noble Javelin 05, at Camp Echo, Iraq to

train the Polish forces, and recently to General Alvarez de Castro Army Base in San Clemente, Spain sup-porting Cathode Emission 05. DCM will not be the same without the professional airmen from the USAF. As a commander, I would like to personally thank TSgt. Steven Smotzer, SSgt. Frankie Woodard, TSgt. Joey Glover SSgt. Ryan Preble, TSgt. Ken Nichols, and SSgt. Ben Hadden for the hard work that you have done for this unit. I greatly appreciated. In the midst of the changing tides, we continue to support NATO operations around the world both at sea and on land. In recent months, we installed TACSAT and commu-

nications equipment on the Spanish frigate Juan de Bourbon, and on the Bulgarian Ship SMELI on the Black Sea in support of the ongoing Op-eration Active Endeavour. Addi-tionally, we continue to send troops to Iraq and Afghanistan for our con-tinuous NTM-I and ISAF rotations. With many challenges occurring daily, we must also work as a team to accomplish the common goal. Again, I'm confident that DCM will prevail in its future endeavors.

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 2

Congratulations!NCO OF THE QUARTER

SSG Peter Moulton was named the Non-commissioned officer of the Quarter in Naples, Italy.

PROMOTIONS

On 1 August, Janette Brown was promoted to SergeantOn 1 September, Peter Moul-ton took on the rank of Staff Sergeant while the newcomer, Weston Goodwin became Ser-geant and Daniel Smith left his Seaman status and be-came Petty Officer Third Class

Upcoming Calendar12 and 26 Oct 2005

Weapons Range

14 Oct 2005

2NSB Sport Day

15 Nov , 2005

2NSB’s Open House

24-27 Nov 2005

Thanksgiving Holidays

15 Dec 2005

Holiday Party

19 Dec 2005

DCM-A’s 2nd Birthday

Operation Active Endeavour is one of the measures result-ing ,om NATO’s decision to implement Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.

TSGT CAPABILITY BY SGT JOSEPH PIAZZA

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TRANSPORTABLE SATELLITE GROUND TERMINAL (TSGT) O13X

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 3

Shelter carries Modems, up and down converters and other communications equipment

Twin 18 Kilowatts Generator

LNA

4.8 Meter casegrain antenna dish

Top: O15X tracks the Frecnh Telecom 2A ,om in San Clemente, Spain Bottom: O15X is being calibrated in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

The purpose of the Transport-able Satellite Ground Terminal (TSGT) is to provide a satellite communications system that can be rapidly deployed. It allows the establishment of reliable and secure communications in sup-port of the NATO command posts. It can be configured to operate in the X, C, and Ku bands and is able to communi-cate with Intelsat, Eutelsat, and NATO Satellites. The system can have four QPSK modems operating at the same time or one Electronic Protection Meas-ures (EPM) carrier. The TSGT is transported across the land by a single 5-ton truck, but can also be moved by a suitable aircraft without need-

ing any special lifting tools for support. Once at its destination the system can usually be setup, to include satellite acquisition, in less than 4 hours by a three-man crew. When a change to the operating protocol is re-quired, it can usually be com-pleted within one hour. After it has been setup, it can be oper-ated from a remote site with minimal supervision from the crew. The main components of the TSGT are the antenna trailer, the communications equipment container, and the diesel genera-tors. The antenna trailer uses a 4.8 meter case grain antenna, which can be dismantled for transportation.

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DCM-A TROOPS

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 4

The Computer Support Team is working to image over one hun-dred computers to support Cathode Emission 05.

CTM2 Dara Robertson rests on the Mercedes GD290, command vehicle at the fuel point in Barcelona, Spain

SSgt. Frankie Woodard pu1s the coaxial cable in preparation for setting up the AFN decoder in Spain to boost morale.

Staff Sergeant Earnest Smith investigates the prob-lem of leaking fuel line with SSG Acosta at Barcelona Seaport.

ET3 Kramer and SSG Grubbs congratulate each others for fixing the legacy ISM’s power problem.

SGT Brown shows CTM2 Hafferman how to use the crimp lock during splicing of a fiber optic cable

SSgt. Preble (center) discusses the issue of the legacy Information System shelter to SFC Hendricks and TSgt. Smotzer

SSG Moulton (rt.)receives on the job training ,om SPC Cluff as SGT Hopkins (lf.)observes the progress.

DCM-A troops troubleshoot the problem of the generators that support the CGS-5

TSgt. Smotzer works to re-image and reload a1 software to include Microsoft Ex-change server application.

Action in San Clemente, Spain

MORE PHOTOS OF DCM- A IN THIS QUARTERS

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 5

SPC Bridgewater (left) along with SFC Olson (center) serve in Baghdad, Iraq in support of NATO Training Mission

IT3 Dilone (left) SPC Bridgewater (2nd left) along with SFC Olson (2nd ,om right) are being recognized for their work.

DCM-A troops and family members enjoy a day at Carney Park where they hailed and farewe1 old and new members.

SGT Sma1 (lf) dominates the Dominos game that the Transporta-tion crew enjoys at the unit’s quarterly Hail and Farewe1 event.

SGT Brown receives her three up chevrons ,om her husband and the unit commander, CPT Lan Dalat.

2nd NATO Signal Bn’s new commander, USAF Lt. Col. Stephen Mihalik is joined by the new S3, MAJ Patrick Lee and DCM-A commander CPT Lan Dalat.

TSGT O15Xby SGT Joseph Piazza, 25S20

(Continues from page 3)The trailer has automatic azimuth determination and attitude sys-tems that allow rapid deployment and satellite ac-quisition. The antenna is pro-vided with automatic con-trol and track-ing facilities which allow the system to main-tain contact with the satel-lite. The an-tenna feed as-semblies can be changed from X, C, and Ku bands, depend-ing on the mis-sion require-ments. Both the High Power Amplifier (HPA's) and Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA) are mounted on the antenna. The communications equipment container provides for the location and protection of the various types of communication equipment required to operate the TSGT. It was designed to with-stand extreme external tempera-tures, radiation from the sun and rigorous conditions during trans-portation. The container has the following equipment inside of it: base band digital multiplexing

and optical fiber equipment, sat-ellite modems, up converters, and down converters, antenna control system and beacon receiver, fre-quency reference system, low noise amplifier control panel, waveguide pressurization and dehydration equipment, Un-

interruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and power distribution, the Monitor Alarm and Control Subsystem (MACS), various test equipment, and the Fiber Optic Line Terminating Unit (FOLTU) box for the command post. The twin diesel genera-tors provide AC power for the TSGT via the power distribution power, which is in the equipment container. A single diesel genera-tor can provide all the necessary power to all the operating equipment. The UPS provides AC power during a changeover of power; either from the mains

to a generator or from one gen-erator to another. The TSGT has redun-dancy for the critical equipment which includes: QPSK modems, up converters, down converters, HPS's, LNA's, and the genera-tors. The system can be operated

locally from the shelter or remotely from the MACS. This computer sys-tem has password protection to pre-vent against unau-thorized operation. The TSGT can be operated remotely from a command post by using the fiber optic inter-face. The TSGT is designed to oper-

ate in various weather and climate

conditions. The antenna can op-erate with steady winds up to 75 Km/h with gusts up to 100 Km/h. It can also be used at altitudes up to 2000 meters above sea level. It can withstand the temperature ranging from -30 degrees Celsius up to +50 degrees Celsius and can be store in temperature rang-ing from -30 degrees Celsius up to +70 degrees Celsius. Finally, the system can endure shocks and vibration of military travel both on paved and unpaved roads.

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 6

1 September 2005, DCM-A troops insta1 the Mobile Communications Module (MCM) inside General Alvarez de Castro Army Base in San Clemente, Spain in support of Exercise Cathode Emission 2005.

HAIL FAREWELL

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA THIRD QUARTER 2005

“First In, Last Out!” July - September 2005 Page 7

DCM-A Troops visit Grazanise Air Base during one of the convoy operations.

9 Aug 2005 -- DCM-A troops from Naples, Italy took a tour to see their new home at an Italian air base. According to the bat-talion commander, DCM-A and 2NSB could move to the new base as early as November of 2005. “However, support issues have not been resolved at this time. There is no NATO Secret setup out there at this time.” Lt. Col. Steven Mihalik ex-plained. Once the support structure is established, DCM-A will move perma-nently to Grazanise.

On Monday 29 August, COL McFerren, NTM-I Chief of Staff presented the NATO NTM-Iraq Medals to our outstanding soldiers, sailors and airmen for their efforts in supporting the NATO Training Mission - Iraq (NTM-I).

The following personnel received the medal:SFC Timothy Hendricks, US AET1 Robert Owens, US NSSG Jamie Acosta, US A

SSgt Ryan Preble, USAFSPC Joseph Crispin, US ASGT Elijah Gladden, US AETC Oscar Ovalle, US NSFC Matthew Olson, US ASPC Marcel Bridgewater, US ASSG Timothy Chafin, US AIT3 Michael Dilone, US NET3 Joshua Peterson, US N

GRAZANISE, A NEW HOME FOR DCM

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SSG (P) Jennifer McKay, Brunnsum; SSG Willie White, McDill AFB, FL; SSG Richard Wilson; SSG Raul Macias, 251ST Signal Bn, Korea; SSG Al-exander Guana, 4TH ID, Ft Hood, TX; SSG Manuel Grimaldo, Warrior Preparation Center, Germany; SSG Walter Twitty, Ft Campbell, KY; SGT(P) Joshua Brandt, 125th Signal Bn, Schofield Barracks, HI; SGT Jannette Brown, 1ST NATO Signal Bn,

Belgium; SGT Weston Goodwin, 125th Signal Bn., Schofield Barracks, HI; SGT Van Sak Houch, Ft Hood, TX; SGT Patrick Davis, Ft Lewis, WA; SGT Shilo Robinson, CSC Team 3, Korea; SPC Brenden Howard, 1ST NATO Signal Bn, Belgium; SPC Garrett; and SPC Kathy Dickenson, AFSOUTH, Italy.

Benvenuti di Bella Napoli!

RECOGNITIONS

On Monday 29 August, Lt. Col. Stephen Mihalik, 2nd NATO Signal Battalion Commander awarded the Joint Service Medals to the following outstanding soldiers, sailors and airmen for their efforts in supporting the first NATO Response Force Operational Rehearsal, NOBLE JAVELIN 2005 in the Canary Islands, Spain.

The following personnel received the medal:TSgt Steven Smotzer, USAF (JCOM)TSgt Joey Glover, USAF (JSAM)ET1 Robert Owens, US N (JSAM)SSgt. Frankie Woodard, USAF (JSAM) SGT Robert Hopkins, US A (JSAM)PN2 Christopher Bashaw, US N (JSAM)

DEPLOYABLE COMMUNICATIONS MODULE ALPHA SECOND QUARTER 2005

“FIRST IN LAST OUT!”

ADDRESS LABEL

CommanderDCM-A, 2NSB, JFC NAPLESPSC 813 BOX 181

FPO AE 09620

CATHODE EMISSION 2005(Continues from Page 1)

The second leg of the voyage was the most relaxed experience. "I didn't realize there are beds on this ferry...this is awesome." SSG Peter Moulton excitedly announced.

Upon reaching Barcelona port, DCM-A troops and equipment were greeted by Spanish authorities. On the final leg of this voyage, Spanish Military Police and Guardia Civil police pro-vided convoy escort along the 150 Km stretch of high-way to General Alvarez de Cas-tro Army Base in San Clemente, Spain. "This is the most exiting con-voy I have ever been on." CTM2 Dara Roberson commented.

"Let's work hard to get every-thing established, after that, I will let you have some free time." SFC Timo-thy Hendricks, NCOIC of DCM-A troops announced at the first formation

on Spanish soil. Everyone was moti-vated and move diligently to their sta-tions.

Within few hours under the scorching sun, DCM-A troops staged the Transportable Satellite Ground Terminal (TSGT) 015X on the allotted

location next to the track. The Communications Gateway

Shelter 5 (CGS-5) moved into its place with ease by the professional team of dedicated technicians from all services. Additionally, everyone pitch in his/her

genuine efforts to erect the medium sized tent.Hours went by as the sweat

and energy of the highly motivated troops continued to pour into the effort of building the mobile communication center. Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors shifted their focus from placing equipment inside offices to getting the communication links connected. Even well trained troops encountered prob-lems that occurred outside the realm of

their training. However, with determi-nation and commitment, DCM-A troops tackled those problems head on. They work arduously long hours into the early morning to ensure the signals are connected.

From 10th through 12th of September , DCM troops greeted col-umns of communications trucks from the German-Netherlands Corps, the Italian's NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC), elements from the 48th Signal Regiment of the French Commandement des Forces de l'Armée de Terre (CFAT) -- Army Forces Command, the Spanish NRDC and the British Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC). At the beginning, they en-countered numerous problems with connectivity ranging from crypto mis-matches, wrong telephone numbering plans to viruses in the servers. To-gether with talented troops and dedi-cated leaders from all nations, they overcame the problems and learned from their lessons. In the end, every-one connected and communicated.