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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (October 26, 2008) - The
Ohio Army National Guard is making a difference in all three areas
of the Global War on Terrorism, Kuwait, Iraq and now
Afghanistan.
Answering to the dire need for critical Joint Node Network
communications in Afghanistan, about 40 Soldiers from the 37th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team respond yet again to the call of
duty.
"The 37th IBCT was chosen for the JNN mission, Task Force Dragon
Blade, due to the fact that we have the equipment here in theatre,"
Col. Richard T. Curry, 37th IBCT commander said. "We were
identified as the only unit that had all the needed assets
available."
Currently they do not have the infrastructure to support
consistent, reliable communications in Afghanistan and haven't for
quite some time. Weather and other environmental issues are
wrecking the systems presently in use.
"Right now they are not able to call in medical support the way
we do in other theatres," Curry stressed. "There is a
communications gap up there. The biggest part of what we will be
able to do is fill in that gap and by doing that, I absolutely
believe we will be able to save lives in that theatre of
operations."
The JNN system is going to provide the infrastructure for the
entire Afghanistan theatre with regular internet, secure phones,
secure internet, and voice teleconferencing capabilities which has
never been done before in Afghanistan.
"It comes down to the Army has a need. When there's a need, our
Soldiers answer," said Task Force Dragon Blade commander, Capt.
Walter Work. "We were called to serve and help out our fellow
Soldiers who are hurting as far as communication assets go."
During three months of mobilization training at Fort Hood,
Texas, the signal Soldiers of the 37th exceeded the expectations of
their instructors. Those same Soldiers who worked so hard to
validate themselves are the best the 37th has and are honored to
help their fellow Soldiers.
"We have proven ourselves," Work said. "The Soldiers we selected
to go are the best of the best. We are talking about the Ohio
National Guard anyway. We are honored and definitely taking our 'A'
team to Afghanistan."
The brigade commander has confidence in the leaders and Soldiers
headed to Afghanistan. The mission requires qualified individuals
to set up the JNN equipment. The group selected is subject matter
experts in their field. They will take care of themselves and the
mission at hand.
"It's a very important, high priority mission," said Curry. "The
Soldiers who were selected were selected because of their unique
skill set and the training they have accomplished over the last
year. They were picked because they have the total package of
skills and met all the requirements."
Because of the groups' critical skill sets, they will be very
well protected. The Soldiers are well equipped for mission success
in Afghanistan.
"I want the families to understand [the Soldiers] are not going
up there to fight. They will be very well protected. Obviously they
have a very important asset that doesn't exist and the commands up
there will protect them," Curry said reassuringly. "We are doing
everything possible to make them safe."
As the senior enlisted of the Task Force Dragon Blade, 1st Sgt.
Ray Tummel agrees with the brigade commander.
"Everything is going to be in a secure forward operating base,"
Tummel said. "We are not going out in the streets kicking in doors.
Everyone has a buddy and they are all coming home safe."
There are concerns as to whether or not the signal Soldiers will
be home for Christmas with the rest of the brigade upon finishing a
12 month mobilization and deployment.
"I have a commitment from the general officers above me that the
Soldiers will be home prior to Christmas," Curry said with
confidence. "My expectation is that they will most likely be
remobilized with me and the trail team of the 37th."
The group understands their duty to their families, their
country and to the Global War on Terrorism.
"The Soldiers are very motivated, getting into the equipment,
brushing off the dust, figuring it back out and making
adjustments," Work said. "The Soldiers have a high level of buy in.
It's tough, it's taxing, but after it's over with it will be very
rewarding."
"It all goes back to, we raised our right hand, 'I do solemnly
swear to follow the orders of the officers appointed above me
against all enemies, foreign and domestic'," Work said proudly.
The Soldiers of the 37th heard the call of duty. They answered
that call and are more than willing to show what they know in order
to save the lives of not only American Soldiers but of their allies
as well.
"We are being looked at as another 'Can Do' organization that
stepped up to the plate," Curry said. "Certainly I would say we
have lived up to our mottos again of 'It Shall Be Done' and
'Leading the Way'. It came down to it, they needed us to go and do
this mission and instead of sitting around trying to figure out
ways to get out of it, we figured out a way to accomplish the
mission and still get Soldiers home on time."
Curry added some insight to just what it means to wear the
uniform of the American Army.
"Duty, an important word in our military language and aptly
describes Soldier responsibilities," he said. "Our men and women of
the 37th IBCT are doing their duty in all things. They cannot do
more; they should never desire to do less."
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