Chicago-Based Unit Tests Potential Military Communication Equipment

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Maj. Cesar A. Garcia of Blue Island, the intelligence officer with the 244th Army Liaison Team (ALT) in Chicago tests potential software, to possibly be used by the military.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (06/24/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 244th Army Liaison Team (ALT) in Chicago spent the first three weeks of June in Colorado Springs, Colo., fielding new equipment that maybe used by the military an exercise called Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID).

CWID is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed annual event that engages cutting-edge information technology, focusing on operational shortfalls identified by combatant commanders and government agencies.

"The Soldiers of the 244th ALT have done an outstanding job with what we thought would be an understaffed team, but they have stepped up and really impressed us with their dedication and attention to detail," said retired Air Force Col. William Crimmel of Science Application International Corporation (SAIC) who co-chairs the Scenario Working Group for CWID.

The ALT mission is to provide support and mentor newly forming foreign military and government agencies and provide assistance with the interworking and coordination between the United States military and government. However, eight years ago the ALT requested to support the CWID mission, said Crimmel.

CWID 2011 spans across five U.S. locations and more than 20 coalition partners worldwide. The participating technologies were approved based on how well they address capability gaps and evaluates how well they assist in the exchange of information between coalition partners, military services, government agencies, first responders and U.S. combatant commanders.

Of the 11 ALT units nationwide, each unit has been eager to volunteer for this mission, but this will be the last year for this type of fielding event, said Crimmel.

"It feels good to have a role and an opinion in a decision the military is going to make as a whole," said Sgt. Stephanie L. Peavy of Machesney Park, a human resources sergeant who deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the 244th ALT. "We are such a small piece of it but our opinion counts as to whether or not this is something they want to use throughout the military."

The 244th ALT is due to deploy in early 2012. For some of the Soldiers it will be their first deployment. Others have deployed multiple times and have the experience to share with some of the junior enlisted Soldiers.

"This mission allowed us to deploy as a unit and go through that process and (gave) us the opportunity to work out some of the issues that arose," said Lt. Col. Scott L. Gidcomb of Savoy, the executive officer for the 244th ALT. "While the training was not geared specific to the 244th ALT's real-world mission, it allowed the Soldiers to meet both civilian and military personnel and form working relationships similar to what it would be like performing the liaison activities."

Throughout the mission the ALT adapted to new training and technologies and worked together as a team to make adjustments when needed. It is in a somewhat unknown environment like this that leaders get to know their Soldiers and Soldiers get to know their leaders, said Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Junius of Galena, the operations non-commissioned officer for the 244th ALT.

"The experience the Soldiers will take away from this exercise is probably the most important aspect of it," said Junius. "Learning how to do things the military way and the cohesion that has been created is valuable to any unit preparing for deployment."

photo 1) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James D. Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Maj. Cesar A. Garcia of Blue Island, the intelligence officer with the 244th Army Liaison Team (ALT) in Chicago tests potential software, to possibly be used by the military, through a scenario driven event called Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration on Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., where the ALT spent three weeks in June for their annual training.

photo 2) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James D. Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Sgt. Stephanie L. Peavy of Machesney Park, Spc. Joseph L. Wallace and Spc. John G. Matsoukas both of Chicago, Soldiers of the 244th Army Liaison Team based in Chicago, observe the use of an operating system being tested by the U.S. military for possible fielding of new equipment during an annual training exercise called Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID). CWID 2011 spans five U.S. locations and more than 20 coalition partners worldwide.

photo 3) U.S. Army photo by Sgt. James D. Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Spc. John G. Matsoukas of Chicago and Sgt. Stephanie L. Peavy of Machesney Park, both members of the 244th Army Liaison Team based in Chicago, test the capability of an operating system being tested by the U.S. military for possible fielding during an annual training exercise called Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration. CWID 2011 spans five U.S. locations and more than 20 coalition partners worldwide.

Story and Photos by Sgt. James D. Sims, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment