3rd Herd hosts technology expo at Tinker

Published Nov. 13, 2008
By Brandice Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The 3rd Combat Communications Group hosted the 2008 Combat Communications Steering Group's Technology Expo Nov. 6 and 7. Nearly 400 attendees came to the event that focused on solutions for "everything over IP (Internet Protocol)."

During the event held at the Glenwood Annex, just north of Tinker Air Force Base on Southeast 29th Street, representatives from six major commands and 13 combat communications units experienced the latest and greatest in command and control equipment. More than 15 vendors showcased innovative technologies.

"Steering group conferences cover a wide range of topics from Air Expeditionary Force concerns to equipment procurement," said Capt. Robert Gramling, 32nd Combat Communications Squadron commander and lead for the event. "It's very important for these commanders to see first-hand the technologies they discuss in briefings.

"Although the conference educates attendees on the newest equipment solutions, actually experiencing it operational in the field is priceless," Captain Gramling said. "This expo provides commanders' real-work data to ensure their troops get the right equipment for the job."

Vendors showing equipment included Harris Corporation, Nortel, General Dynamics, L3, and the Joint Communications Support Element from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Army 1st Lt. Chad Reinhardt, of the JCSE's Alert Posture Force, said he attended the expo to show the JCSE's Swedish satellite dish as part of the Small Command and Control over Internet Protocol package, also known as "SC2IP." He also wanted to compare the Swedish to his counterpart, L3's Cheetah Flyaway Very Small Aperture Terminal.

Both compact satellite ground-station dishes can be packed into two small cases and travel via commercial airline. Officials said both dishes can be assembled in little time and can begin transmitting and receiving information within approximately 15 minutes. Lieutenant Reinhardt said although the two dishes are comparable; he thinks one of them can better tolerate heat, which would ultimately benefit the customer, should the satellite dish be used in the desert.

In addition to the traditional combat-communication equipment - tactical cell phone systems and vehicle-mounted networks - displayed gear also included alternative fuel solution tools. Such gear included alternative-fuel cells and solar and wind-powered support-tactical communication equipment.