BATON ROUGE, La., - Louisiana Air Guardsmen have embraced the spirit of their mission abroad and have provided vital communications to fellow Guardsmen, service members, foreign military and the people of Haiti.
The Louisiana Air National Guard’s 236th Combat Communications Squadron (236th CBCS), located at the Hammond Municipal Airport in Hammond, La., has provided indispensable communications support for Task Force Kout Men.
The 236th CBCS provides deployable voice and data communications in support of national military objectives.
The squadron’s expertise and versatility in the tactical communications arena made for an excellent fit when the 236th CBCS was asked to participate in New Horizons Haiti 2010, Louisiana National Guard’s Task Force Kout Men supporting the Haiti earthquake relief effort.
Early in March 2010, members of the squadron assumed a lead role in communications support for Task Force Kout Men, which means "helping hands" and denotes the spirit of hope that the mission brings to the people of Haiti.
Capt. Harry Trosclair Jr., 236th CBCS detachment commander and Senior Master Sgt. Brent Simon, 236th CBCS communications superintendant, both from Ponchatoula, La., were selected to serve in a staff function that reported directly to the commander during the deployment.
“There is no substitute for experience, and this experience will benefit us greatly as we venture further into a joint environment,” said Trosclair.
Staff members that served for the duration of the mission had the unique experience of participating in the ground-up development of an Army task force, a rare opportunity for any Airman.
With its hurricane mission and joint exercise experience, the unit is also known for its ability to easily integrate with other military branches – especially the U.S. Army.
Communications planning involved close coordination with U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army South, which resulted in a comprehensive communications package consisting of Soldiers from three regular Army signal units, one Army National Guard signal unit, and several Airmen from the 236th CBCS.
Once in Haiti, the staff was met by rotational members of the 236th CBCS, who provided vital helpdesk and network customer support during their two weeks of annual training.
In total, thirty-six communicators were assigned to rotate in and assist the task force.
Aside from the overall management of task force communications, these Guardsmen were charged with fielding the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability, which served as a supplementary voice and data network.
The system served as a backup for the task force’s primary data network; it provided commercial internet to users without certified (government) computers; and it supplied Morale Welfare and Recreation phone/internet services for all task force members.
For the members of the 236th CBCS, the experience provided a great opportunity to learn and contribute to those truly in need. Many of the Airmen expressed that, despite the harsh environment, the trip was extremely gratifying.
“The Guard provides an opportunity for ordinary people to have an amazing impact on communities locally, and around the world,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Bailey, 236th CBCS network technician.