MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- During the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s last deployment communications were vital to the success of any mission. Being able to talk to higher and subordinate units simultaneously and in different mediums was expected at all times.
This week, the Marines who ensure that connectivity spent time training new members of the Joint Task Force Enabler detachment and the MEU Command Element communications sections.
“We are doing a combined (communications exercise) for the MEU’s S-6, (Information Systems Management Office), radio (section), and JTFE,” said Staff Sgt. Brent N. Cheek, the JTFE’s senior enlisted leader.
The exercise allowed the Marines who just returned from Iraq in February to pass on what they learned and start to build camaraderie within the sections. It also gave the MEU a jump in the deployment training cycle.
“We are going to get a head start on work-ups. When the MEU stands up, we will be able to concentrate on the (subordinate elements) and not ourselves,” said Cheek a Winston-Salem, N.C., native.
The training entailed classes on all of the MEU’s communications equipment and familiarization with some new assets the MEU will be taking on its next deployment. Training also included quickly setting up all of the JTFE detachment’s equipment to see how fast they could have communications up and running.
“Our job is to provide communication where the CO needs it,” said 1st Lt. John H. Frushour, the JTFE officer-in-charge. “We could be attached to any MSE. The (Battalion Landing Team) moves so fast that I need to be able to pick up and deploy at a moment’s notice,” added the Lexington, Ky., native.
For the MEU’s communicators, this will be a regular part of their training schedule up to and including pre-deployment training. Their ultimate goal is to have the MEU’s communications performing flawlessly.
We will be doing these once a month,” said Gunnery Sgt. Kevin R. Sweeney, the MEU’s Electronic Key Management System chief. “There are some kinks, but that is what we are here for.”