Commanders and Marines continually train as they fight. Some commanders have said that the key to winning battles is command and control, and to use it effectively they train daily to exercise their ability to fight and win wars.
Just two days before Christmas the Marines of 8th Communications Battalion, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., arrived in the Mideast and began a change over with 9th Communications Battalion from Camp Pendleton, Calif. Ninth Comm has served this theatre for more than 11 months.
The Marines of 8th Comm have trained for this scheduled deployment for almost a year and arrived in the Arabian theatre with morale high and an eagerness to become operational fast. Due to mechanical failures with the transport aircraft the Marines arrived in country a day later than expected. Working on just a few hours rest, some none, they quickly went to work, replacing existing communication equipment with their own.
"We are providing services with the latest digital technology," said Gunnery Sgt. Stanley Dixon, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of switching. "This service has never been challenged before and we are deploying for the first time using it," added the Columbus, Ga., native. "You might want to think of us as AT&T military style, that's the service we are providing. Communication between Marine units has come a long way."
"This equipment offers commercial switching using digital based technology. Before we used a basic tactical phone system with little capabilities," said Staff Sgt. Benjamin G. Kellogg, wire chief, who also calls Muskegon, Mich., home. "This commercial equipment gives our unit better capability interfacing with other digital equipment and communicating from our overseas location."
Eighth Communication Battalion provides a path to the outside world by offering video teleconferencing, Internet, telephone services, email, and all secured and non-secured capabilities. Operating the equipment is a well-trained group of Marines; each person hand picked and given some of the world's best training on the digital gear they operate.
According to Lance Cpl. Susana Valette, switching operator from Bronx, N.Y., who celebrated her twenty-first birthday the day she set foot in the Gulf, this is her first deployment. "I'm actually doing my job in an operational environment. This is very different from day-to-day operations stateside. It's exciting, and I'm glad I get to contribute."
"This is a great opportunity to actually be part of OEF," said Kellogg. "Since September 11, we have just seen everything on CNN or other news programs. It's great to be part of history."
"Even though my piece of the pie isn't that big, it's a good feeling knowing that II'm putting my energy towards something important," said Sgt. Charles U. Mowery, technical controller and who hails from Harrisburg, Pa. "Just knowing that my piece of the pie is doing something feels great."
The Marines of 8th Comm reported to support Marine Forces Central Command and continue the service of offering command and control to the commanders serving in the theatre of operation. They will not, nor can they, speculate on the duration of their mission, only saying, "We are here indefinitely."
Command and control has become easier over the years with upgrades in technology and the military's ability to change with each century.
Eighth Communications Battalion brings to the Persian Gulf new capabilities that allow commanders in the Marine Forces Pacific's area of responsibility to effectively communicate with their Marines on the ground, and in the air, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
[9th Communications Battalion leaves the AOR]
Ninth Communications Battalion, from Camp Pendleton, Calif., was the first to offer communication to Marine Forces Central Command. They arrived in the Persian Gulf a year ago and set the stage for all follow-on communications units.
Chief Warrant Officer Wade E. Wallace, switching officer from Bronx, N.Y., said the work they did was nothing short of great. "They did a superb job. It's obvious they know what they are doing. Setting up our equipment [which is larger in most cases] was done in record time. Our job has been made a little easier just by what [9th Comm] accomplished."
"We provided the best customer service we could," said Staff Sgt. Jack Terrell, radio chief and company gunnery sergeant, 9th Communications Battalion. "These Marines are the most professional Marines I've worked with. I know that teamwork made us successful, which ensured every mission was accomplished."
Gunnery Sergeant Victor Lopez, 9th Comm's operations chief, said his unit is combat ready and customer service oriented. "All of our Marines are professional and knowledgeable. We are proactive and able to support any mission. The level of service we provided filled the needs of the commander and his staff, [24-hours a day] providing essential communication equipment that they need to win the wars of today."
Some of the Marines of 9th Comm have served in the Persian Gulf for almost a year; others rotated every three to six months. They are all ready to join their families, but each of them knows that today's War on Terrorism could bring them back. The Marines of 9th Comm are prepared to make any sacrifice and are confident in their combat readiness.