Photo by Cpt. Stephen Joosten A Soldier from the 146th Signal Battalion and an observation controller from the 67th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) work together to install and operate a satellite tactical terminal following a convoy to a new site. Members of the 35th Signal Brigade deployed Oct. 24 - Nov. 11, to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas in support of the 146th Signal Battalion's mission ready exercise in preparation for deployment.

The 146th Sig. Bn. is a National Guard battalion based out of Florida and part of the 261st Sig. Bde. Supervising the exercise was Lt. Col. Peter Tragakis, 67th Signal Battalion (Expeditionary) commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Angel Ramos, 67th Sig. Bn. command sergeant major.

This event was crucial for the 146th as it gave them the ability to focus on areas of networking, transmission flow and operational exercises with joint network node equipment.

The 35th Sig. Bde. deployed 14 observation controllers from the 67th Sig. Bn. (Exp), an equipment crew from the 57th Signal Battalion, the 556th Maintenance Co. and signal equipment from the 50th Sig. Bn. to support the event. The 146th missions ready exercise tested individual companies on the deployment and installation of joint network transport capability equipment to a field environment, along with the certification of teams on operation and maintenance. The 146th Sig. Bn. received crucial training on 103 signal equipment assemblages including joint network node, command post node, satellite tactical terminal, phoenix terminal, Single Shelter Switch, satellite communication terminal 93 van and line of sight (v1) and (v3) vans. Staff Sgt. Lester Strahl an observation controller from the 67th Sig. Bn. (Exp) said, "The Soldiers of the 146th Sig. Bn. are learning the crucial tasks they need in order to be successful. Strahl went on to say, "The Soldiers who have experience using the equipment are not keeping it to themselves; they are sharing everything they know with their comrades." A non-commissioned officer from the 146th Sig. Bn. Staff Sgt. Shawn Sellers said, "This training is key for our upcoming deployment because I have quite a few new Soldiers who are really getting to use the equipment for the first time." Another Soldier from the 146th Sig. Bn. Spc. Stephen Stolarick said, "This MRE was good training because it allowed us to get the kinks out now and an opportunity to succeed with unfamiliar equipment."

Maj. Edward Borowiec, 67th Sig. Bn. (Exp) executive officer and the officer in charge of operations said, "The training started off slowly but greatly improved with the Soldiers getting more confident with the equipment. This MRE enabled the 146th to exercise and evaluate their technical, tactical and leadership skills one last time before they deployed. The 146th Sig. Bn. came in with a great attitude and relished the opportunity to display their skills." The completion of the training concluded with the validation of the 146th Sig. Bn. on all points of presence and a battalion ready to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.