Topic: communications

One Man’s Medal: The Story of George Nishimura-Part 4

By Hank Bonecutter | February 22, 2013 |

George Nishimura

Clarksville, TN – In researching this story, and getting to know the life of George Nishimura, I’ve learned so much about World War II that I have never known before.  His personal handwritten account of his life is an amazing recollection of what it was like growing up in a country that came under attack from the Japanese, and how he wanted to “do something” to help the Americans fight back.

George Nishimura served his country in the best way he knew how.  He followed orders and did what he was told.  The Japanese-American soldiers who volunteered to serve, were treated differently.  There was a feeling of apprehension by most Americans, who wondered how can the “Japs” be the good guy and bad? «Read the rest of this article»

Fort Campbell’s 101st Combat Avaiation Brigade uses Electronic Warfare to help Soldiers on the Ground

March 21, 2012 |

Written by Sgt. Duncan Brennan
101st Combat Aviation Brigade

Fort Campbell, KY – At first glance, Army electronic warfare may sound like a bunch of soldiers huddled around computers defeating hackers, but the truth is closer to the front lines and closer to science fiction than you may believe.

In the Army, the soldiers that perform the duties of electronic warfare are often influencing the battlefield from behind the scenes by interrupting enemy communication and defeating radio detonated improvised explosive devices.

From left to right Sgt. Steve McDaniel and Sgt. 1st Class John Wink, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade electronic warfare non-commissioned officers and Staff Sgt. Mariah Parks, 101st CAB intel analyst stand infront of the brigade colors as the electronic warfare team. (Photo by Sgt. Duncan Brennan)

«Read the rest of this article»

Mystery of the Lunar Ionosphere

November 15, 2011 |

Written by Dr. Tony Phillips
Science at NASA

Greenbelt, MD – How can a world without air have an ionosphere? Somehow the Moon has done it.

Lunar researchers have been struggling with the mystery for years, and they may have finally found a solution.

But first, what is an ionosphere?

Every terrestrial planet with an atmosphere has one. High above the planet’s rocky surface where the atmosphere meets the vacuum of space, ultraviolet rays from the sun break apart atoms of air. This creates a layer of ionized gas–an “ionosphere.”

Dust grains floating above the lunar surface are ionized by solar UV radiation.

«Read the rest of this article»

Letterpress to tweet — let freedom ring

By Frank White | April 4, 2011 |

Social Media

Social media and electronic communication have not changed my views on freedom of information, free speech and open communication. The principles are unchanged from Ben Franklin hand set type to iPhone tweets.

I came of age in the early 1970s. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were champions. Rolling Stone first caught my attention with a caricature of my home-state senator who wanted to be president riding on a merry-go-round. I might on occasion have worn a peace symbol with my dog tags beneath my solid green fatigues. «Read the rest of this article»

Training and maintaining; putting the comm. in combat

September 8, 2010 |

Written by U.S. Army Sgt. Grant Matthes
Regional Command-East Public Affairs

Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan – Signal Soldiers of the Company C, 101st Airborne Division here are in charge of ensuring communication equipment is up and running at all times. Secure Internet Protocol Router, Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router and Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange are crucial computer networks to the mission in Afghanistan, and the work of four Soldiers within the company keeps these communication lifelines flowing.

This small group is tasked with conducting maintenance and training others on the proper use of the very small aperture terminal, or VSAT.

VSAT technicians here are in charge of training Soldiers in Regional Command-East how to properly maintain, set up and operate the computer systems in their area of responsibility. VSATs are small satellites used to transmit low-bandwidth data to other VSATs within range.

U.S. Army Sgt. Darrell W. Coffman, Company C, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, VSAT facility noncommissioned officer in charge and a native of Clarksville, TN (top), and U.S. Army Sgt. William M. Hemingway, Company C, HHB, 101st Airborne Division, TT (traffic terminal) and SPOP (SIPR point of presence) and reset technician, and a native of Collinsville, IL, troubleshoot a problem with an SPOP here Sept. 7th. The SPOP is part of the system that enables computer-network communication between coalition forces in Afghanistan. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Grant Matthes, Regional Command-East Public Affairs)

«Read the rest of this article»

IV: Are you ready for disaster? Gear, supplies and training

August 7, 2008 |

Editors Note: This is Chapter 4 in a reprint of this five-part series, published on Daily Kos and originally published online by AlphaGeek {9.9.05}. From the diaries — Plutonium Page. The series offers a practical way to assess risk and prepare a variety of disaster scenarios. The series will appear chapter by chapter at 3 p.m. through Friday.

In a great many ways, we live safer lives today than our parents and grandparents ever did. Western civilization’s emphasis on science and engineering has driven incredible progress in our understanding of the world. Because our understanding of the world is imperfect, and our social systems fractious and chaotic, we still make mistakes.

The result of this progress, unfortunately, is that much of Western civilization teeters precariously at the top of a technological pyramid. Remove the non-stop infusions of energy and goods, add a little natural or man-made disaster, and that balancing act rapidly devolves into chaos.

In this, the fourth installment of this series, we will discuss the material preparations required to support your emergency plans.

Yes, people, that means it’s time to talk about MREs, radios, and guns. (Actually, guns will be covered in part 5, but you get the idea.)

This is the fourth installment out of five in a multi-part series on personal disaster preparedness. Your humble correspondent is a Silicon Valley technical executive with both professional and personal experience in risk assessment and disaster-readiness planning. «Read the rest of this article»

III: Are you ready for disaster? Plan to survive!

August 6, 2008 |

Editors Note: This is Chapter 3 in a reprint of this five-part series, published on Daily Kos and origianally published online by AlphaGeek {9.9.05}. From the diaries — Plutonium Page. The series offers a practical way to assess risk and prepare a variety of disaster scenarios. The series will appear chapter by chapter at 3 p.m. through Friday.

“In the first 48 to 72 hours of an emergency, many Americans will have to look after themselves.”

– David Paulison, 2005 FEMA Director Nominee

Preparedness for emergency situations is not a solitary pursuit.

Each of us lives in the context of a larger society. Few among us could survive for long without the support of myriad other people and institutions we depend upon for our daily needs. A realistic disaster plan must balance these dependencies against the stark truth that you are likely to be required to survive outside this system for days or weeks at a time at some point in your life.

Being prepared for disaster does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. In this multi-part series of DailyKos Diaries, I will share with you, dear reader, many of the lessons I’ve learned regarding the most effective ways to prepare for an emergency.

This is the third installment in a multi-part series on personal disaster preparedness. Your humble correspondent is a Silicon Valley technical executive with both professional and personal experience in risk assessment and disaster-readiness planning. Links to reference materials, including planning guides and reference information, will be found at the end of the final Diaries in this series. «Read the rest of this article»

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