New Cellphone Tower Enhances Connectivity for Helemano Military Community

By U.S. Army Garrison Hawai'i Public AffairsJanuary 9, 2024

Service members and families on Helemano Military Reservation can now enjoy significantly improved cell reception thanks to a new tower constructed through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Boingo Wireless.
Service members and families on Helemano Military Reservation can now enjoy significantly improved cell reception thanks to a new tower constructed through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and Boingo Wireless. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawai’i — The Helemano Military Reservation recently celebrated the completion of the Dragon Tower, a new cellphone tower significantly enhancing communication capabilities for service members and their families.

In his keynote address, Brig. Gen. Kevin Meisler, commander of the 311th Signal Command (Theater), highlighted the importance of the new infrastructure in supporting the community's needs. He emphasized the tower's role in ensuring reliable communication for military personnel, a critical factor for mission readiness and family connection.

Lt. Col. Izabella Lundy, commander of the 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion - Enhanced (ESB-E), in her closing remarks, underlined the significance of the tower in the realm of communication. "This infrastructure will provide our Soldiers and their families with reliable access to emergency services, facilitate communication with loved ones, and support the seamless conduct of daily business," she said. Lundy also praised the joint efforts that made the project successful, calling it "truly inspiring."

Col. Jason Beck, Exchange Pacific Region commander opened the event by expressing gratitude to the various organizations involved in the project. He recognized the collaborative efforts between AAFES, Boingo, AT&T, and Verizon in bringing the project to fruition. Beck noted the project's focus on improving quality of life for military families and enhancing mission readiness by ensuring strong homefront connections.

Dragon tower is part of a broader initiative involving 12 other similar projects across the Hawai’i Garrison. Beck thanked Boingo for their decade-long partnership and expertise, as well as the Exchange team for their dedication to the project.

The completion of the Dragon Tower stands as a testament to the commitment of the Helemano community and its partners in supporting the well-being and operational effectiveness of its service members.