On the Job at Tobyhanna

By Ms. Jennifer M Caprioli (IMCOM)January 22, 2008

On the Job at Tobyhanna
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

George Takacs, electronics technician, aligns an AN/TVQ-2 Ground Vehicle Laser Locator Designator.

The 12 technicians who work in the Image Optics/Laser Branch overhaul, repair, align and test-fire about 30 systems a year. The AN/TVQ-2 is a self-contained electro-optical system designed for close support operations in target identification and designation. By measuring distance, elevation and azimuth to an aimpoint, observers can "paint a target" for laser-seeking ordnance. The designator can be used as a ground-mounted system or in conjunction with the AN/TAS-4 Night Vision Thermal Sight which mounts on a Humvee.

While at the depot, the lasers are processed through four repair areas: utility room, circuit card room, 10K clean room and the Automatic Laser Instrumentation and Measurement System (ALIMS) room. Takacs works in the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Directorate's Electro-Optics Night Vision Division.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is the Defense Department's largest center for the repair, overhaul and fabrication of a wide variety of electronics systems and components, from tactical field radios to the ground terminals for the defense satellite communications network. Tobyhanna's missions support all branches of the Armed Forces.

About 5,500 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command. Headquartered at Fort Monmouth, N.J., the command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control, computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the Armed Forces.