New FRA sets up shop at Fort Carson

By Jacqueline R. BoucherDecember 3, 2007

New FRA sets up shop at Fort Carson
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New FRA sets up shop at Fort Carson
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New FRA sets up shop at Fort Carson
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A team of depot technicians is supporting the warfighter from a new location in the Rocky Mountains.

The Forward Repair Activity (FRA) opened at Fort Carson, Colo., Aug. 17 to provide Standard Army Management Information Systems (STAMIS) repair support for all installation units and activities. There are five workers, STAMIS employees and tactical operations centers field service representatives on-site who repair computers, printers and other peripherals.

"We provide in-house service and support to the warfighter," said Jay Cannavo, FRA Central Branch chief. "We also participate in field exercises with Soldiers to provide over-the-shoulder training and maintenance support."

The site leader, Edward Scroggins, explained that the FRA acts as a liaison between the depot and the geographically separated units. Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division.

"I feel really good about the work being accomplished here," Scroggins said. "We are able to provide a one-stop shop for the Soldiers to bring equipment for repair." He added that the workload keeps them "really busy."

The electronics mechanics and equipment specialists work on Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and air defense/air management system (ADAM Cell) equipment. The staff also supports the Air and Missile Defense Workstation System (AMDWS), which is used to monitor unmanned aerial vehicles, and the Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS), which is a mobile communications and digitized battlefield automated system for airspace management. AMDWS and TAIS are part of the ADAM Cell.

"We're the government's version of 'geeks on call,'" Scroggins said.

The TOC is a remote operator's station that is part of the Army's Command Post Platforms. It allows an operator to remote-link shelter functions to a centralized command tent. The ADAMS consists of fully-integrated separate boxes [for air defense and air traffic control] in one cell, according to Scroggins. "It gives the commander a better picture of what assets are available to support the mission," he said.

Scroggins explained that work requests range from lost fiber optic connectivity between two pieces of equipment to an auxiliary power unit generator going down. "We even had an air conditioner quit not long ago." He also recalled receiving 12 requests for TOC assistance in a week, and remarked that recent Reset efforts encompassed 14-16 vehicles.

"We're really pleased with the quality of work coming from the FRA," said Frederick Morris, Force Modernization Supervisor, 1st Army Field Support Battalion at Fort Carson. "They [Tobyhanna employees] have been here only a short time and have already made improvements allowing us to better meet mission requirements." Morris explained that the field support battalion supports the warfighter and logistics armaments representatives.

Work days consist of a myriad of tasks, according to Brent Zimmer, TOC field service representative. He said duties include repair, training, administration and shipping. On any given day, Zimmer fields service calls on TOC-related equipment, performs retrofitting of TOC equipment and helps maintain the FRA facility.

"This will be very challenging to both me and the unit," Zimmer said. "But, when you see what the TOC equipment can do in the field environment, you feel so proud that you played a part in the operation."

A six-month deployment to Iraq helped Laura Michael understand the importance of the work being accomplished at the Fort Carson FRA.

"The work performed here is challenging and rewarding," said Michael, an electronics digital computer mechanic. "The Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and civilians that serve are grateful for the service that we provide on-site as opposed to having to send their equipment back to the depot.

"We can react immediately to their needs by going to them when needed," she said, adding that it takes a lot less time to get a unit back online. "Hopefully that will save lives and that is what makes it all worthwhile."

Employees assigned to the FRA Central Branch perform operations in six locations: Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Riley, Kan., Huntsville, Ala., Fort Carson and Fort Knox, Tenn. The branch is responsible for accomplishing the depot's TOC Reset mission, providing field service representatives to work directly with the Soldiers and their equipment, fielding and transferring new equipment to Army units, and repairing computer equipment. The branch is part of the Command Control and Computers/Avionics Directorate.

"These people work long hours and support exercises," Cannavo said, explaining that the FRA provides round-the-clock support. "Whenever the Soldiers need us, we'll be there."