As the Army continues to transition to peacetime operations, sustaining the force and maintaining readiness is among the Army's top priorities, and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command's mission of reset, maintenance and sustainment of communications-electronics systems will aid in that transition.
This past January, the CECOM Logistics and Readiness Center, in conjunction with contractor support, completed RESET operations and conducted training on the Air Traffic Navigation Integration and Communication System, ATNAVICS, at Fort Campbell, Ky.
ATNAVICS is a highly mobile air traffic control system that provides airport surveillance radar, precision approach radar and secondary surveillance radar capabilities to Air Traffic Service units.
"The training was very beneficial to all Air Traffic Controller and military maintainers who attended," said Chief Warrant Officer Domingo A. Sanchez, brigade air traffic and airspace management tech who has worked closely with CECOM in the past.
CECOM logisticians, in conjunction with contract support, conducted on-site refresher training for the Soldiers of the F Company, 7-101st Aviation Brigade, some of whom were only trained on the ATNAVICS during their Advanced Individual Training. The training covered the setup and technical aspects of the technology; such as techniques on obtaining data for several key measurements like runway length, touchdown points and roll-out distances, explained Leslie Malone, CECOM integrated logistics support manager.
As dollars become scarce, personnel continue to turnover, and as the Army shifts from reset to sustainment operations, refresher training classes like this one will prove useful, Malone explained. He stressed the importance of sustainment training for Soldiers as we approach an environment of less.
CECOM works hand-in-hand with its program manager counterparts to ensure upgrades, Engineering Change Proposals and Modification Work Orders were planned for and completed as needed, said Malone. PMs were able to fund the necessary upgrades for incorporation during or immediately after reset using Other Procurement, Army funds. PMs work with CECOM integrated logistics personnel to schedule and execute the mission to meet Army Force Generation requirements. This process extended system life without performing cyclical overhaul.
Now, as the Army gets 'back to basics,' program managers will need to perform cyclical overhaul activities as part of the life-cycle maintenance strategy to meet Army Force Generation requirements and maintain system readiness objectives, Malone explained.
CECOM is restructuring how they deliver sustainment services to support peacetime operations. The command is adjusting their field support strategy to be more regionally aligned, rather than embedded.
"Our global footprint will be reassessed and aligned to better support Combatant commanders," said Maj. Gen. Robert. S. Ferrell, CECOM commander. Proper planning and accurate demand forecasts will be imperative as funding streams are modified. Soldier proficiency and system readiness will be critical factors as the Army enters a sustainment operational environment, Malone explained.
"I would definitely recommend CECOM's services," said Sanchez. "They were not only helpful, but very knowledgeable. In one instance, CECOM personnel went out of their way to deliver their services at little to no cost to my unit. CECOM made my unit a priority and for that I'm grateful."
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