ICHEON, Republic of Korea –
The senior enlisted leader of 1st Signal Brigade conducted battlefield
circulation to Korean military bases, including 5th Corps in Idong, the 6th
Corps in Pocheon, and the 7th Corps in Icheon, Korea, March 11.
Command
Sgt. Maj. Andy Frye visited three of the most significant corps around the
peninsula to meet Soldiers and leaders in person, discuss the ways to strengthen
the alliance that U.S. Army shares with the R.O.K. Army and praise their active
participation in combined signal training as they have always done during the
Key Resolve.
"We are all very proud of these teams. The Soldiers and
leaders have deployed their assemblages and provided superior support to their
customers while working with our ROK Army counterparts and strengthening the
alliance," shared Frye.
Soldiers from the 304th Expeditionary Signal
Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, also shared their thoughts about working
alongside their ROK counterparts during the combined exercise.
"This kind
of combined training between two nations prepares us for the real situations
when something really happens," said Pvt. Briana S. Oliver, Information
Technology Specialist, 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade.
"It gives us the baseline of what we need to get done and the importance of
having connection, so we can communicate with each other, and can all be
connected."
"Through this training, we've learned a lot about our
assistance and our jobs." said Oliver. "304th ESB's task in this exercise is
that if enemy tries to invade, we can see how long the process will take to
fight back and provide communication all around the peninsula which plays a key
role in pushing the enemies back. I think this training is really helpful for
both nations and it definitely helps us build a connection and see how each
other work together."
Soldiers and leaders from 304th ESB are committed
to the combined component of the exercise, giving R.O.K. Army the ability to
support critical command posts around the South Korean peninsula.
"The
training gives you more actual experience when you are setting up the signal
equipment so that you can perform in exactly same way as you have learned in
classroom environment at signal school." said Pfc. Jessica A. Hagerty,
Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator and Maintainer, 304th ESB, 1st Signal
Brigade. "And it gives you an idea of dealing with different things, as here you
can cooperate with R.O.K. Army Soldiers and leaders, in the mountains that we
don't have back at Camp Humphreys."
"The training also prepares us for
various obstacles because Korea itself provides unique challenges and we have an
opportunity to use our assets to overcome those challenges," said Hagerty. "The
company and you are always on the same spot, so you can get to know where you're
setting up the communication equipment, how it is going to work and who you are
communicating with."
While participating in the joint communication
training, Sgt. Joshua T. Menning, Team Chief, Bravo Co., 304th ESB, 1st Signal
Brigade, shared his thoughts of the training.
"The overall importance of
this kind of training is that it allows consolidation with R.O.K. Army forces
and increased interoperability," said Menning. "Both nations' Army would be able
to achieve synergic effects and strengthen interoperability. It is a valuable
experience to get so many Soldiers and leaders from both nations together to do
such a complex job."