Signal Brigade leadership visits ROK military sites during Key Resolve 15

By Pfc. Byun, Jae Hyuk, 1st Signal Brigade Public Affairs OfficeMarch 13, 2015

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 5th CORPS, IDONG, Korea -- Pfc. Jessica A. Hagerty, Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator and Maintainer, 304th ESB, 1st Signal Brigade, operates satellite equipment at 5th Corps, Idong, South Korea on Mar. 11 during the Key Resolve 15 combined ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 6th CORPS, POCHEON, Korea -- Command Sgt. Maj. Andy G. Frye, 1st Signal Brigade, discusses the way to strengthen the historic alliance the 1st Signal Brigade shares with the R.O.K. Army, with Col. Song Jae Eun, Brigade Commander, 106th Information C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

7th CORPS, Icheon, Korea -- The senior enlisted leader of 1st Signal Brigade conducted battlefield circulation to Korean military bases, including 5th Corps in Idong, the 6th Corps in Pocheon, and the 7th Corps in Icheon, Korea, March 11.

Command Sgt. Maj. Andy Frye visited three of the most significant corps around the peninsula to meet Soldiers and leaders in person, discuss the ways to strengthen the alliance that U.S. Army shares with the R.O.K. Army and praise their active participation in combined signal training as they have always done during the Key Resolve.

"We are all very proud of these teams. The Soldiers and leaders have deployed their assemblages and provided superior support to their customers while working with our ROK Army counterparts and strengthening the alliance," shared Frye.

Soldiers from the 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, also shared their thoughts about working alongside their ROK counterparts during the combined exercise.

"This kind of combined training between two nations prepares us for the real situations when something really happens," said Pvt. Briana S. Oliver, Information Technology Specialist, 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade. "It gives us the baseline of what we need to get done and the importance of having connection, so we can communicate with each other, and can all be connected."

"Through this training, we've learned a lot about our assistance and our jobs." said Oliver. "304th ESB's task in this exercise is that if enemy tries to invade, we can see how long the process will take to fight back and provide communication all around the peninsula which plays a key role in pushing the enemies back. I think this training is really helpful for both nations and it definitely helps us build a connection and see how each other work together."

Soldiers and leaders from 304th ESB are committed to the combined component of the exercise, giving R.O.K. Army the ability to support critical command posts around the South Korean peninsula.

"The training gives you more actual experience when you are setting up the signal equipment so that you can perform in exactly same way as you have learned in classroom environment at signal school." said Pfc. Jessica A. Hagerty, Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator and Maintainer, 304th ESB, 1st Signal Brigade. "And it gives you an idea of dealing with different things, as here you can cooperate with R.O.K. Army Soldiers and leaders, in the mountains that we don't have back at Camp Humphreys."

"The training also prepares us for various obstacles because Korea itself provides unique challenges and we have an opportunity to use our assets to overcome those challenges," said Hagerty. "The company and you are always on the same spot, so you can get to know where you're setting up the communication equipment, how it is going to work and who you are communicating with."

While participating in the joint communication training, Sgt. Joshua T. Menning, Team Chief, Bravo Co., 304th ESB, 1st Signal Brigade, shared his thoughts of the training.

"The overall importance of this kind of training is that it allows consolidation with R.O.K. Army forces and increased interoperability," said Menning. "Both nations' Army would be able to achieve synergic effects and strengthen interoperability. It is a valuable experience to get so many Soldiers and leaders from both nations together to do such a complex job."