Soldier provides signal support for OUA

PAYNESVILLE, Liberia - Without communications, Soldiers of the Fort Hood based 36th Engineer Brigade wouldn't be able to complete their mission in support of Operation United Assistance at the National Police Training Academy, Paynesville, Liberia.

Spc. Tamisha Cook, an Oviedo, Florida, native, cable system installer and maintainer, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, Joint Forces Command - United Assistance, provides signal support for Soldiers at the NPTA.

"Whether its computers, government cell phones, email accounts, or anything signal related, I help," said Cook.

"The signal mission here is important because without it, we wouldn't be able to communicate here or abroad," said Cook. "We also provided signal support for Soldiers that built the Ebola treatment unit facilities."

Cook said a lot of the missions depend on signal support.

"When we first came out here in mid-October, communications were very slow," said Maj. Anthony Costello, an Atlanta native and a design engineer for HHC, 36th Eng. Bde. "We didn't have as much capabilities as we do now. We were using a Broadband Global Area Network, which is a laptop-size device that had only one phone line and two internet lines. When Cook and the rest of the team arrived, they made communication so much easier, especially at the ETU sites. We currently have a Joint Nodal Network, which is a big satellite that provides faster and stronger signal, with more than 40 phone lines and internet lines."

Costello said the ETUs are located in cell phone coverage areas, so they were able to use their government issued cell phones.

"While Soldiers are out on missions, we ensure they have ways to communicate," said Cook. "They call in and let us know what they need, conditions at the site, or if anything were to happen, we can send that information up and engage if needed. We also make sure everything is running smoothly."

Her day-to-day life at the NPTA consists of setting up users' accounts, making sure phones are properly signed out to contracting officer representatives for missions at the ETU sites and across Liberia and making sure they maintain connectivity.

Cook enjoys her mission in helping others, especially in a timely manner or short notice, she said. She runs off the adrenalin rush when she has to help people who need to send up important information to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

"Cook is very sharp, dependable, knowledgeable and well-rounded," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ezekiel Sheridan, chief officer of human resources for HHC, 36th Eng. Bde. "She's helped me maintain connectivity throughout the mission. I was able to maintain accountability of Soldiers in country and send up very important reports to 101st Airborne Division so that they can have visibility and accountability of Soldiers in Liberia."

Everything about the mission is great, said Cook.

"I appreciate being a part of the Operation United Assistance mission, and all good things must come to an end," said Cook. "I'm ready to go home and see my family and share my experiences with them."