TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, PA. - (Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of articles scheduled to appear in the Tobyhanna Reporter detailing the Command, Control and Computers (C3)/Avionics Directorate's extensive Forward Repair Activity (FRA) mission. The articles will focus on the people and workload that supports America's military. )
"Because I have been fortunate to have a life untouched by the tragedies of war, a warm, safe home to return to every day, and live in the greatest country in the world-I wanted to give something back," said Deborah Marzec. "The fulfillment of working directly with the Soldiers is incredible. Just knowing that I have made a small difference makes for the greatest job satisfaction I have ever known."
Soldiers in Europe and Southwest Asia (SWA) depend on a cadre of equipment specialists to carry out on-site repairs to their battle-damaged equipment.
The FRA Europe/Deployed Branch directs work performed by nearly 100 employees stationed at several military installations outside the continental United States. As part of Tobyhanna's network of electronics repair, these specialists support a variety of systems such as the Command Post Systems Integration Platforms (CPS&I), which includes the TOCs (Tactical Operations Center) shelters, Air Defense/Air Management (ADAM) Cell shelters, Profiler shelters and Standard Army Management Information Systems (STAMIS).
The branch boasts regional support managers, field support representatives (FSR), equipment specialists and STAMIS professionals who back Soldiers assigned to units in locations such as Germany, Italy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Kuwait.
One of the unique aspects of working for an FRA is that employees and Soldiers work side by side to support the war effort, according to John Parada, branch chief.
"Our technicians are capable of making repairs down to the component level," Parada said. "They can also make repairs to the air conditioners and auxiliary power units on systems."
FRA staff man several shops providing repair, direct exchange or logistics support for a number of systems. While in country, they support all branches of the military.
"All of our programs have everyday contact with the warfighter," said Peter Marsicano, FRA/SWA manager assigned to a unit in Iraq. "Thousands of pieces of equipment are processed monthly at the FRA sites."
Computer technicians perform all types of warranty repairs on laptops and work stations as well as printer repairs. Technician's also research issues, suggest repairs and order parts from the manufacturers.
Marsicano said technicians become familiar with several types of radios that are supported by direct exchange and all types of Army maintenance and logistic forms.
"We also provide logistics assistance for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program," he said, pointing out that employees move parts to and from the flightline as well as track inventory and perform warehouse work.
The proximity of Tobyhanna FRA locations has a positive impact on the mission.
"The work we do in Southwest Asia is vital to the warfighter," Marsicano said. "We hear it every day. Customers tell us how important their equipment is to the success of the mission," he said, explaining that almost every unit presents a certificate of appreciation to the shop or commanders stop by to say thank you. Individuals also use the depot's survey forms to convey their appreciation for the overhaul, upgrade and repair of critical equipment.
While in Afghanistan, an employee received praise for his support of an ADAM Cell. "Anything that I requested was taken care of in a timely manner and any questions I asked were answered," the customer wrote in the survey. Thank you for the excellent customer service."
In Iraq, another customer said "If it wasn't for Tobyhanna's FRA, I would not be performing my mission-excellent service."
The deployed teams are made up of a diverse group of individuals. For many, working in an FRA is just what they're looking for in a career; it's a fast-paced environment and close to the action.
"Everyone at the depot is connected to the military; however, we get to live it," Marsicano said. "If you want to be out with the people who are using the equipment, if you like an increase in Ops Tempo or a sense of urgency, the FRA is the place to be."
Volunteering for an FRA mission was a "very personal" decision for Marzec. Her relationship with people whose lives have been touched by the war in Iraq helped her realize that it's important to give something back.
"I definitely feel the work we do is vital to the warfighter," said Marzec, digital computer mechanic. "In these days of electronic data transmission, computers are critical for communication."
Marzec provides front-line support from an FRA location in Iraq.
The STAMIS program provides the quick turnaround and rapid repair of equipment used in both the administrative offices and in the field, thus reducing downtime for the warfighter. Marzec explained that being in theatre lets technicians repair equipment expeditiously.
FRAs in Europe provide support to Soldiers and units there. In addition, reach-back support is available to forward-deployed activities in SWA and Soldiers deployed to the Horn of Africa, Egypt and Israel.
Employees also support Movement Tracking System (MTS) customers worldwide, to include units in Germany, Korea and Afghanistan.
"We provide a level of maintenance reach-back support not available to downrange FRAs, shipping parts and equipment to the area of responsibility daily," said Tom Mayes, acting Regional Support Manager, Friedrichsfeld, Germany.
"Our technicians and FSRs provide the absolute highest level of technical competence-we perform a level of work here that sets the standard for other FRAs around the world."
He explained that each FSR and technician "remains flexible to handle urgent customer requirements, anticipates customer needs, and selflessly meets those needs by working long days, travelling or deploying as required."
Robert Hagenbaugh is an equipment specialist at Tobyhanna's FRA in Vicenza, Italy. His depot career began in 2002, and in June he will complete his eighth 6-month deployment.
"I enjoy being side by side with the warfighter and meeting so many different people," he said, pointing out that by working as a team, the FSRs in Europe accomplish the mission on a daily basis. "I have worked with some of the most highly-motivated and intelligent people."
In Europe, STAMIS technicians repair an average of 400 computers and printers a month. They also provide on-site Reset support for returning units. The TOC and ADAM Cell FSRs provide support to the units they are embedded in and other units, whenever Resets, fielding and new equipment training and exercises occur, Mayes explained.
According to Parada, FSRs are assigned to a specific unit. They maintain all TOC equipment and deploy with the units.
"That way the same person does the work whether at the home station or deployed." he said.
The Very Small Aperture Terminal FSR provides on-site Reset, software and operating system (called firmware) and other software updates, repairs and over-the-shoulder training for more than 100 terminals. An MTS FSR provides maintenance support for hundreds of Global Positioning System trackers and associated computers and software.
And, the Common Ground Station (CGS) FSRs provide Reset and unscheduled maintenance support for more than a dozen CGS shelters stationed throughout Europe, Mayes added.
"We do all this with a small team of the Army's most talented repair folks, a logistician and a manager," Mayes said.
Parada uses one word to describe the branch's cadre of specialists.
"They are great," he said, adding that "all are highly-skilled individuals who work well together."
Tobyhanna's network of electronics repair stretches around the globe to more than 50 Forward Repair Activity (FRA) locations. Seventy-five percent of that workload is performed by hundreds of C3/Avionics Directorate employees assigned to the FRA Division's four branches.
FRAs can operate from the frontlines or a unit's home station.
Charged with the same overall mission as C3/Avionics-repairing and overhauling electronics equipment-they are located in 18 states and several locations in Europe and Southwest Asia.
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 5,600 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 CECOM 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.
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