The White Falcon - 17.05.1985, Síða 5

NAVCOMSTA: A vital link in military communications
Story by YN1 William Scanlon
Within the military environment, reliable com-
munications are key to the swift transmission of
thoughts form one point to another and the success
of any operation. The Naval Communication Station
(NAVCOMMSTA) is just such a keystone at the NATO
Base.
At the heart of building 839 is the Communica-
tions Center, where there is a bustle of activity
24 hours a day, every day. There, Navy men and
women operate sophisticated "state of the art"
communications equipment which tie Iceland to the
rest of the world in a constant two-way conver-
staion of what's happening inside and outside the
"realm of the Arctic Circle."
Ships and planes operating in the North Atlan-
tic region are "customers" of the vital relay
facilities provided by the Apecial Communications
(SPECOMM) division.
Navy VP and Air Force AWACCS squadrons know
only too well the team cooperation that goes on
between the Anti-Submarine Communications (ASCOMM)
division and OPCON personnel in alerting Air
Force interceptors when contact has been made
with foreign vessels and aircraft passing to
either side of the island.
The Transmitter Site at Grindavik continues the
ageless military tradition of "passing the word"
in what may, sometimes, seem to be the most in-
clement weather conditions on the island. They
also serve as NAVCOMMSTA's most direct ambassadors
of good will toward the local Icelandic community
through the comradarie enjoyed at their annual
Grindavik Friendship Day.
The individual solely responsible for ensuring
that all this work reaches and remains at peak
efficiency is Capt. Francis W. Hilton, Jr., of
the Navy. A 22-year veteran of naval aviation,
he hails from Albany, NY and is accompanied by
his wife, Pan and daughter, Laura. His two sons,
Greg and Scott are both preparing to follow their
father's naval tradition after commissioning as
ensigns at Duke University and Holy Cross College.
Of the over 200 personnel at NAVCOMMSTA, .Ice-
land, each is acutely aware of the significance
of the other's job. Everyone puts forth their
individual talent and specialty to contribute to
the "big picture" mission.
Photo by JOl Howard Watters
Naval Communications Station's Executive Officer,
Cdr. Joseph H. Steele, seen in front of the vital
link (NAVCOMSTA) in naval communications.
If the communications gear breaks down, the
electronics technician stands ready to ensure
that the radioman has equipment in good repair,
no matter what the time of day.
NAVCOMMSTA is no exception to the concept of
mission support. The Facilities, Supply and Ad-
ministrative Departments have no small task keep-
ing structures, vehicles, supplies, correspond-
ence and personnel liaison running smoothly to
permit the "front liners" reassurance to perform
their jobs unhindered.
Within the last six years the maximum efforts
of all who are or have been assigned to NAVCOMM-
STA have earned the recognition and reward of an
unprecedented five Defense Communication Agency
"Station of the Year" awards, two Secretary of
the Navy Meritorious Unit Citations and one Navy
Unit Commendation.
Considering that everyone at the NATO Base is
an important cog in the wheel of overseas diplo-
macy and defense, NAVCOMMSTA exhibits its "pride
and professionalism" by keeping the vital link of
communications open and operating so others may
contribute their part.
Billboard magazine's top five hits-----------
Hot 100 Country Soul
1. Don't You -- Simple Minds
2. Crazy For You -- Madonna
3. One Night In Bangkok — Murry
Head
4. Everything She Wants — Wham
5. Smooth Operator -- Sade
1. Step That Step--Sawyer Brown
2. Radio Heart -- Charly McClain
3. Failin' In Love -- Sylvia
4. Warning Sign -- Eddie Rabbitt
5. In A New York Minute --
Ronnie McDowell
1. Fresh -- Kool and The Gang
2. We Are The World -- USA For
Africa
3. You Give Good Love -- Whitney
Houston
4. In My House -- Mary Jane Girls
5. Smooth Operator -- Sade
Editor's note: These hits for the week ending Saturday May 18, 1985
May 17, H985 The White Falcon
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