Soldiers from the 820th Signal Company-Tactical Installation Network (TIN), a Seagoville, Texas, Reserve unit, are partnering with U.S. Army Garrison to modernize the fiber optic infrastructure operated by the installation Network Enterprise Center (NEC).

"This modernization effort will enable our installation partners to utilize emerging digital technologies in testing and training environments, to support Soldiers on the battlefield of the future and to improve the quality of services we provide to our community," said Maj. Joshua Donecker, garrison executive officer.

Materials for these efforts were part of a consolidation and redistribution of unused materials originally planned for use in the construction of the border wall between the United States and Mexico. Federal agencies were afforded the opportunity to repurpose these items for other federal missions. Fort Huachuca acquired more than $3.5 million in materials and equipment for installation projects.

"More than 56 miles of fiber optic cable acquired from the site will help improve connectivity for more than 21 facilities on the installation this fiscal year," Donecker added.

The TIN team installed more than 2,300 feet of cable through the underground communications conduit network during this visit to connect the School Age Center to the NEC internet data center, said William “Bill” Miller, garrison information management officer.

"We have five Soldiers here for this project," said Spc. Noe Olivares, 820th Signal Company. "The unit will continue missions to install throughout 2023."

Over the next two months, an additional 45 Soldiers from the 820th Signal Company will be on post to upgrade fiber optic cable at Greely Hall; New Beginnings Child Development Center; the Teen Center; Family, Morale, Welfare & Recreation’s Warehouse; and nine buildings in the Joint Interoperability Test Command complex.

The fort is currently assessing other facilities on the installation for possible fiber upgrades.

Col. John Ives, garrison commander, expressed the fort's appreciation by presenting the five TIN team Soldiers with Army Achievement Medals and garrison coins noting the unit's strong work ethic and overall performance. Ives also presented the NEC’s five network team civilians with Certificates of Appreciation and coins citing their overwhelming support to the effort.