Communications security directorate 'resets' units throughout the states

Army Communicator,  Summer, 2005  by Anthony Ricchiazzi

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Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pa. -- Teams of depot technicians are repairing thousands of secure communications systems being returned from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The technicians, from the Communications Security and Tactical Missile Systems Directorate, are the Army's key source for COMSEC reset and have been working the mission for about a year.

The mission is coordinated with the Communications Security Logistics Activity, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and is part of the Army's Reconstitution Program to repair and overhaul Army systems that were heavily used during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; equipment is returned to like-new condition to support future requirements.

"To date, we have reset about 18,000 items, ranging from AN/CYZ 10 (V3) Data Transfer Devices to KY68 Digital Subscriber Voice Terminals," said Mark Costello, logistics management specialist, Support Services Division, COMSEC and Tactical Missile Systems Directorate.

Data Transfer Devices secure a wide variety of communications equipment used throughout the services; KY-68s are secure tactical field telephones. Other COMSEC equipment being repaired for the reset effort includes trunk encryption and network inline encryption devices.

The mission involves four-person teams traveling to installations such as Fort Bragg, N.C. (XVIII Airborne Corps); Fort Campbell, Ky. (101st Airborne Division); Fort Carson, Colo. (534th Signal Battalion); and Fort Stewart, Ga. (3rd Infantry Division); exchanging field unit equipment one for one in a direct exchange program with condition code A assets from Tobyhanna (also called seed assets). "The idea is to bring units up to combat readiness status as quickly as possible," Costello said.

"We offer this opportunity to exchange all their COMSEC equipment, ensuring the units have the most reliable equipment possible for their next deployment," said Ron Roberts, COMSEC project officer, Support Services Division. Currently, there is a team at Fort Gordon, Ga.; and Fort Bliss, Texas; serving units such as the 56th Signal Battalion and III Corps. Preparations are being made for two trips to Hawaii for the 25th Infantry Division.

"Before we started the actual traveling and repairing, an aggressive workload was scheduled through CSLA to build up our seed asset levels, not only to fill direct exchange requirements, but also to meet any unforeseen surge requirements," he said. "For example, 498 KY 68 Digital Subscriber Voice Terminals were brought up to standards to meet additional new requirements of units at Fort Gordon."

The Defense Distribution Depot Tobyhanna ships equipment for the reset effort.

"DDTP has provided us with steady support, helping maintain a continuous flow of equipment coming in and going out, enabling our teams to reset units on a scheduled timeline," Roberts said. "We coordinate with the unit, the installation, Army Materiel Command headquarters and the appropriate major subordinate command, such as TACOM (Tank-Automotive Command) or CE-LCM Command (U.S. Army Communications Electronics Life Cycle Management Command)."

The reset mission involves every aspect of COMSEC directorate operations and is a team effort. "Between 30 and 55 percent of our COMSEC personnel are working this at any one time, and have been very successful," said Robert Dittman, chief of the Support Services Division.

The overall success of the program has also drawn interest from units not currently on the reset schedule. "It's blossoming," Costello said. "CSLA has been in contact with the National Guard Bureau to set up meetings to discuss the possible reset of National Guard units throughout the states."

ACRONYM QUICKSCAN

3ID--3rd Infantry Division

AMC--Army Materiel Command

BCT--Brigade Combat Team

CAISI--Combat Service Support Automated Information Systems Interface

CCSAMO--Combat Service Support Automation Management Office

CECOM--Army Communications-Electronics Command

CE-LCMC--Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command

CSLA--Communications Security Logistics Activity

CSS SATCOM--Combat Service Support Satellite Communications

CSS VSAT--Combat Service Support Very Small Aperture Terminal

DDTP--Defense Distribution Depot Tobyhanna

DSST--Direct Support Signal Teams

FOB--Forward Operating Base

IED--improvised explosive devices

ILAP--Integrated Logistics Analysis Program

ITSB--Integrated Theater Signal Battalion

LAO--Logistics Assistance Office

LAR--Logistics Assistance Representative

MNF-C--Multi-National Force

MNF-I--Multi-National Force--Iraq

MTS--Movement Tracking System

MSE--Mobile Subscriber Equipment

NETCOM--Network Command

NTC--National Training Center

OM&P--operate, maintain, and protect

PM DWTS--Product Manager, Defense Wide Transmission Systems

SAAS--Standard Army Ammunition System

SAMS--Standard Army Maintenance System

SARSS--Standard Army Retail Supply System