News

112th Signal provides commo for Purple Dragon '98

by Spc. Daniel L. Savolskis

CAMP BLANDING, Fla., (Army News Service, March 12, 1998) -- Successful planning and execution of military tactics hinges on solid communication. Units must have the ability to stay in constant contact, adapting to the ever-changing situations of combat.

The 112th Special Operation Signal Battalion (Airborne), was a hub for communications during the Joint Task Force Exercise 98-1, also known as Purple Dragon. They provided the Joint Special Operations Task Force with communications capabilities and service during the recently completed exercise.

Purple Dragon was a three-week joint training exercise employing more than 30,000 members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Reflecting the emerging threats and challenges U.S. military forces encounter around the world, it was designed to provide high quality, realistic and stressful training to fully prepare U.S. forces for joint operations.

The battalion arrived here about a week before starting the exercise, establishing the communications network.

"We got here during the first week of January," said Capt. Becky Kanis, commander, Company B, 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne). "Our job was to provide communications paths for both voice and data transmission. We linkrd the joint information and operation centers with the units by means of phone cables, satellites and special circuits."

Kanis said the unit deployed with all its equipment, using every capability during the exercise.

"It allows us to practice serving units, instead of a static field exercise," she said. "Also, there're no distractions here. We can focus on our jobs."

Part of the battalion mission was to work with an Air Force component, the Joint Communications Squadron. The Air Force group provided large-satellite and fiber-optic capabilities.

"We always look forward to working with the 112th," said Air Force Staff Sgt. John E. Zabrucki, satellite technician and team chief. "We use a lot of the same equipment and share some of the same techniques. There was almost zero transition time. It was like we were all one unit, despite the different services."

Working with other units showed the soldiers of the signal battalion the nature of joint operations.

"Of all the missions I've been on, this is the best to give soldiers the big picture," said Sgt. 1st Class Wade Myers, operations mission planner, Co. B, 112th SOSB (A). "They get to see for themselves the roles everyone in the unit plays and how they fit in."

"When you get to see up close what all the units do, we know how to support them better," added Kanis.

Another advantage to deploying is the quality training it gives newer soldiers.

"I'd say the best thing is that the young soldiers spend some quality time with their team chiefs," Kanis said. "We get them well away from the distractions of Fort Bragg and the NCOs get time to help them develop. It's good one-on-one training."

Being so integrated into the exercise workings and scenarios, the soldiers said they experienced real growth.

"We've jumped years ahead, just on this exercise," Myers said. "It's really happened over the last six months. With new equipment and capabilities such as our video teleconferencing, we've jumped ahead of other units to set a new standard.

"The idiosyncrasies of new equipment and cutting edge technology adds to the challenges for all our soldiers," he continued. "But, I have to say that everything went so smoothly. This is what a planner dreams of."

Soldiers of the 112th SOSB (A) deemed the deployment successful.

"It really put us in a real world environment," said Spc. Christopher Wright, radio operator, Joint Operations Center and 112th SOSB (A). "People depend on us, on the job we do. It helps to see the overall picture. This was my first time in a joint environment and I learned a lot."

"Everyone has performed superbly," finished Kanis. "I've heard nothing but praise from the other unit commanders we support. That's really the best compliment there is, and I'm proud of all our soldiers for it."

(Editor's note: Savolskis is with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command's public affairs office at Fort Bragg, N.C.)