Intrepid Maven 23.2

Marines with Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment, stabilize an antenna at Exercise Heavy Metal 2013, here, June 17. The antenna, a Tactical Elevated Antenna Mast System (TEAMS), allows groups of Marines located miles apart to share point-to-point phone service and internet communications. These high-tech antennas are cared for and operated by Marines who practice the military occupational specialty of digital wide-band multi-channel equipment operators. “Communication is key on the battlefield,” said Lt.Col. Charles Long, 6th Motor Transport Battalion inspector instructor and acting commander of the exercise. “This team allows units to move and communicate. We’re able to disperse a satellite system across multiple sites using microwaves instead of running (long lengths) of cable.”