CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan, - Whether it is simply fixing communication wires or ensuring personnel stationed in the Kabul Base Cluster (KBC) have internet to communicate with friends and family back home, Soldiers of the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the South Dakota Army National Guard continue to provide information technology support to nearly 9,000 U.S. and coalition forces stationed at 11 bases throughout the KBC.
Several Soldiers from the 196th, or Task Force Rushmore's Directorate of Information Management (DOIM), pitch in to provide a range of support services to improve the much-needed technology to servicemembers serving in the capital region.
"Seventy to 80 percent of the work we do is initiated by help-desk tickets, and the rest are behind-the-scene projects we have started since being here," said Capt. Lew Weber, deputy director of the DOIM. "Whether it is setting up e-mail for someone or troubleshooting printers, we are always willing to help out. Whatever we can do to make things easier for someone, we will do it."
A recent project the group is working on for the KBC is installing the new Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIX), which is a multi-national, information-sharing network for all coalition forces to use, including the Afghan military.
"We are working together with some of the other camps to get these computers out and updated with the new program," said Sgt. 1st Class David Smith, Task Force Rushmore help-desk manager. "When the camps are turned over to the Afghan military they can't get access to our network because it is a No Foreign National (NOFORN) network, but CENTRIX will allow the coalition forces to share a network."
Keeping a common ground is important, but safety is even more vital to everyone here and the Soldiers of the DOIM are helping to maintain that tactically and proficiently.
These Soldiers are improving video teleconferencing programs throughout the KBC, such as ADOBE connect and eliminating the need to travel from base to base, said Weber.
"We also have two members of the DOIM who work on the tactical side; ensuring several vehicles' communication devices are properly maintained," said Weber. "Spc. Launie Stokes and Spc. Leonard Paulson help to conduct radio communication checks and fills."
"In the commo (communication) world, the signal mission statement is ‘install, operate and maintain,' but I always say what about improving," said Weber. "I have always challenged our office to think that way. We are always thinking about what we can do next to improve this camp and other camps in the KBC."
The DOIM not only provides services at the KBC level, but at an individual Soldier level as well. Keeping the personnel on Camp Phoenix satisfied with the Internet and cable services provided may not be an easy task, but these technology-savvy personnel have tackled the mission to help Soldiers be able to Skype, check e-mail, Facebook and overall keep morale high by keeping in touch with loved ones back home.
"It may not be mission essential, but when personnel get to watch the news or catch a Sunday football game, it helps them keep in touch with what's going on back home," said Weber. "The cable system here has not been touched in more than four years; it is weathered and outdated, but it is another mission we have taken on so our Soldiers can do these things during their downtime."
"We are very fortunate to have some very competent, intelligent, robust people in the DOIM," added Weber. "My team is always willing to help fix other Soldiers computers, so they can do these things, even though it may not be a government furnished piece of equipment."
With the experience, knowledge and kindness combined of these individuals, the DOIM has made life a little easier, more convenient and safer for the personnel stationed here.
"The DOIM has definitely become a key player in the big game to get the information they need at the right time and when they need it," said Weber. "We have helped to maintain technology in a country where there isn't so much and it has made an impact on this war."