This is a TSC-100A, while in operation during an exercise here in Korea.Kirtland was my first real base as an active duty member of the Air Force. While there I worked on a variety of security systems including on called AECIIDS which stands for Automated Entry Control and Integrated Intrusion Detection System. The system included card readers, infrared detectors, magnetic sensors, x-ray machines, metal detectors, video cameras and a lot more. It was a very modern system, and being one of a kind in the Air Force, it was a lot of fun to work on. We were not restricted by the military maintenance systems. This meant that we were able to spend a lot more time working and learning and a lot less time filling job data documentation. We set up a system that paralled the Air Force one but because we only had to cater to our own needs, it was much simpler and faster.
After a few years of doing the same thing day in and day out at in New Mexico, I got tired of the routine, so I volunteered for a mobility assignment. There was a lot more to it, but I won't get into that right now. I got my order and packed my bags for Robins AFB, Ga where I was assigned to the 54th Combat Communications Squadron, part of the 5th Combat Communications Group. While there, I was assigned to work on an AN/TRC-170(V2) Tropo-Scatter terminal and it's associated TSSR, Tropo-Sattelite Support Radio.
During my time at Robins, I pulled a rotational TDY, Temporary Duty Assignment, to Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait to work on TSSR's and a TSC-93B Tactical Satellite Terminal and anything else I could tear into to pass the time. As an additional duty, I was the small computer maintenace person for the base as well as the cable guy. This was is the same base that the F-117 Stealth Fighters now deploy to.
My next TDY assignment was for an Airpower Expeditionary Force into Jordan, more commonly known as AEF II. This exercise included F-15's out of Langley AFB, Va, and F-16's from Moody AFB, Ga, and Mountain Home AFB, Id, along with KC-135 tankers from Mountain Home. Eventually around 1500 personnel deployed to Azraq, Jordan and set up shop for three months. My own commitment, along with the others from Robins, came to 93 days. We arrived with only tree tents set up, we arrived in the very early stages, and left with only a few tents still standing, and I think they were getting torn down as we waited for our plane. During its prime, tent city blossomed to over 200 tents providing everything from hot meals in the chow hall to showers and toilets along with administrative facilities.
I was sent to Jordan to set up and maintain TSSRs, but since they are very reliable and don't break frequently, I primarily worked with the TSC-94A SATCOM Terminal. After realizing that 8 people was a few too many to have in there, I was moved to the switchboard where I operated and even did a little maintenance on the SB-3865 and SB-3614 switchboards. As much as I hated being taken out of SATCOM, it was kind of fun working there and it was also nice being indoors during the cold desert evenings.
As is very common in this carrer field, I ended up in Korea. One of the benefits of being in Korea, and on an Army installation, is that it reminded me of how glad I was that I walked into the Air Force recruting office. I deployed many times to many places, although being on the Satcom and not he Wideband side, I didn't have too spend much time on the top of hill 915. I deployed twice with the 604th from Camp Redcloud, a few times to Osan and once to a location near a town called Hwang Bon Son, if anyone knows the correct spelling, please tell me! As well as employing a few times in our own parking lot at the "Hump."
This is a TSC-100A, while in operation during an exercise here in Korea.
The 100A is capable of communicating with up to five other terminals, over two different satellites at the same time, at data rates of up to 4.999 Mbs over each. During the pictured exercise, we were communicating with four other terminals in Korea, while another 100A nearby was communicating with terminals in Japan and Hawaii.
The satellites that we shoot to are positioned in space in a geo-synchronous (it stays in the same place) at an altitude of 23,000 miles.
If you are interested in learning more about satellite terminals follow this link to the Mobile Satellite Telecommunications Library.
Well, unfortionately, my time in Woomera has come to an end, so this is now all in hindsight. If it weren't for the base closing, there's no telling how long I'd have stayed here.
My job here is working on a GSC-52 terminal and the Digital Communications Sub-System (DCSS)that feeds into it. I was part of a crew that included myself and two Australian civilians that are employed by Boeing Australia. The workcenter NCOIC, Non-Commisioned Officer In Charge, was a member of the Australian Army. This combination and variety provided for an excellent work environment and was one of the things that made this place so enjoyable for me.
Off the job was the best part of Woomera. While there I made some great friends. With Woomera being such a small town, about 600, and very remote, you develop close friendships. The Air Force may have made me leave Australia, but I'll definitely be back, if only for a visit.
This is definitely a work in progress. I'm still trying to figure out just what this unit does. So far, all we've done is deploy to the unit's parking lot. I'm still hopeful, but like my main page says, I may only be here a short time. Anyway, I'll soon attach a few pictures from work. I won't do much about Tucson, since there's probably already plenty on the internet about it.
Any suggestions, question or comments? Please e-mail me at danvorlander@hotmail.com