AVIANO, Italy Teaming Up To Build A Command Post U.S. Army Africa Lion Focus 090108-A-7283S-011
Teaming Up To Build A Command Post
By Rick Scavetta,
U.S. Army Africa Public Affairs
AVIANO AIRBASE, Italy – A cold chill blew down from the Italian Alps as Staff Sgt. Joshua Sweeton hollered out directions to Soldiers hoisting up the framed tent of SETAF-U.S. Army Africa’s new command post.
Sweeton, 30, of from McMinnville, Tenn., knew his part of the Lion Focus exercise was help construct the command’s “early entry package,” the first ground assets needed for contingency missions in Africa.
“This gives us the opportunity to get out and do this,” Sweeton said. “So when the call comes for us to deploy into Africa in support of some type of operation then we know we can do this.”
With temperatures near freezing, it was hard for Soldiers to pretend they were actually anywhere near the continent known for its vast sweltering deserts, savannahs and jungles. Still, they did not complain as they worked together in teams, lifting heavy containers of communication gear, building satellite dishes and setting up generators.
The training would help make future missions run smoothly, Sweeton said. The early entry package is part of bigger command post called the “DJC2” – Deployable Joint Command and Control system, he said.
“This is a smaller move-ahead package that can get command and control structures into play on the ground while the rest of the main body is moving into the area,” Sweeton said.
The Army and other services have used DJC2 system in the past, but Lion Focus gave SETAF-U.S. Army Africa its first chance to test out the field headquarters. Prior to the exercise, Soldiers had practiced transforming the tents, Humvees and communication gear into a state-of-the-art command center.
Still, setting things up is like figuring out a large, three-dimensional puzzle.
“We have to take this system and adjust to how we operate on a daily basis” Sweeton said. “We are taking this as a lessons learned opportunity. We’ll take those lessons back and adjust our standard operating procedures.”
PHOTO CAPTION: AVIANO, Italy -- Staff Sgt. Joshua Sweeton, 30, of McMinnville, Tenn., prepares to raise a tent during the training deployment of SETAF-U.S. Army Africa's early entry command post.
U.S. Army photo by Rick Scavetta
United States Army Africa, Public Affairs
These images are cleared for release and are considered in the public domain. Request credit be given the US Army and individual photographer.
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