An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Feb. 3, 2021

KFOR conducts radio tower maintenance

By Zachary Zippe Iowa National Guard

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – U.S. Soldiers assigned to Regional Command-East, Kosovo Force 28, and radio systems contractors conducted radio tower maintenance visits in Kosovo Jan. 28.

Sgt. 1st Class Rod Widows, a signal support systems specialist with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, said there are eight to 10 towers they have to maintain once a month throughout each KFOR rotation. The inspection routes are altered during winter months because certain towers can be more difficult to access, but all the towers are still maintained all year.

Widows acted as a contractor observer to ensure the checks went smoothly.

“We check the (uninterrupted power supply), how many times the system has been up or down, and then the radio functionality at each location,” said Widows. “Each location is a relay tower site so that we can talk on mobile radios throughout the country.”

Land mobile radios are more reliable than cellphones because they are secured with encryption and have better connectivity. Radio towers can send stronger signals across Kosovo, whereas cell towers cannot. Therefore, the land mobile radios allow KFOR to operate over more expansive areas.

It is important for Soldiers to familiarize themselves with their equipment and know how it works. Professionals with DynCorp provide technical maintenance and support for KFOR.

The radio maintenance team operates out of Camp Bondsteel. Mike Cassel, the lead technician for land mobile radio maintenance and support department of DynCorp, has over 20 years of experience. At each tower location, some of the checks he helps conduct include running software diagnostics, testing the radio transmitting power and checking battery voltage.

When Cassel isn’t inspecting towers, he’s helping troubleshoot radios and passing his extensive working knowledge on to U.S. Soldiers.

 

 

Related Articles
An Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 641st Aviation Regiment, conducts a search and rescue mission on July 13, 2025, in the caldera at Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The same Black Hawk later in the day conducted a second rescue mission at Lake Harriett, Southeast of Crater Lake, when three hikers were injured from a falling tree limb.
Oregon Guard Responds to Multiple Search and Rescue Missions
By John Hughel, | July 15, 2025
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Army National Guard’s 641st Aviation Regiment worked with several agency partners to respond to multiple search and rescue operations in one day across the state during its scheduled Inactive Duty...

Oregon Army National Guard Golf Company 189th Aviation Spc. Natalie Foote simulates giving rescue breaths to a medical mannequin during the Special User Evaluation for the Future Long Range Aviation Aircraft (FLRAA) MEDEVAC patient handling system at the Army Aviation Support Facility, June 13, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Army Medical Command is using the Future MEDEVAC Cabin Technical Demonstrator to collect flight medic feedback on the design of the FLRAA MEDEVAC patient handling system. Oregon National Guard is the only reserve unit to participate in the Special User Evaluation.
Oregon Army Guard Helps Design Future Medevac Technology
By Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson, | June 18, 2025
SALEM, Ore. - The future of Army flight medicine has been driving across the country in a shipping container for the past year.The Future Medical Evacuation (medevac) Cabin Technical Demonstrator (FMC-TD) is a 20-foot mockup...

Participants gather at the start line in the pre-dawn light at U.S. Cellular Field in Medford, Ore., June 8, 2025, before beginning the Norwegian Foot March. The 18.6-mile endurance test, hosted by the Oregon Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, attracted 101 military personnel and civilians carrying 24-pound rucksacks.
Oregon Guard Honors Army's 250th with Norwegian Endurance Challenge
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | June 9, 2025
MEDFORD, Ore. – As the U.S. Army marks its 250th anniversary, Oregon National Guard Soldiers embraced a fitting tribute – completing one of the military's most demanding endurance tests that has challenged warriors for more...