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IN THE NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS | Jan. 20, 2023

9th MSC first in Army Reserve to implement VSAT VPN

By Sgt. 1st Class Jerimiah Richardson 9th Mission Support Command

The 9th Mission Support Command is the first command in the U.S. Army Reserve to implement the use of VPN with the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Satellite Communications system. This VSAT system allows the 9th MSC to connect to internet and phone communications anywhere in the world very quickly. For the last few months, Soldiers from the 322nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 100th Infantry Battalion, 411th Engineer Battalion, the 302nd Transportation Terminal, the 740th Forward Support Company and 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade were trained on the assembly and use of the upgraded system.

“The system can be set up by a two Soldiers in less than 20 minutes.”, said 9th MSC SASMO Celestino Ranon. “This is a powerful capability for a commander to use. This equips our soldiers to have access via army networks anywhere, anytime.”

Previous versions of the VSAT system were used for Operations in the Middle East such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This new upgraded system now can fit on a single shipping pallet making it highly portable. It also features an upgraded Virtual Private Network (VPN) capability for maintaining Operational Security. With this upgrade the VSAT systems have become operational assets ready for use for Army Reserve exercises and other real world missions. While such capabilities enhance the battlefield capabilities of 9th MSC units, the VSAT could also be used in areas where natural disasters have knocked out civilian communications, so that 9th MSC units providing support could still move and communicate.

The VSAT created network can also be expanded with added on interfaces such as the Combat Service Support Automated Information Systems Interface (CAISI) to create a large mobile wireless network for use in any area the satellite system is deployed. This use of such technology widens the scope of communication on future battlefields thereby increasing the combat and logistical capabilities of 9th MSC units.

“The G4 Staff at the 9th MSC is incredibly proud of this effort. Mr. Ranon has gone above and beyond, putting many extra hours to meet this accomplishment”, said the Deputy G4 Mr. William Diaz-Wilson.