Delaware National Guard 
NES helps pass data across tactical
system
By Maj. Jane Zak, Public Affairs Officer, 261st Signal Brigade
Eight soldiers from
the 261st Signal Brigade and its subordinate battalions,
attended training for the Network Encryption System (NES) at the
Dover Readiness Center during the May drill weekend.
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Staff Sgt. Robert Koch, 259th Signal Company, verifies that cable connections are secure. |
"Our tactical data system is a secret high system," explained Chief Warrant 3 John Turner, 280th Signal Battalion. "Therefore, we can not pass unclassified data in the network. NES provides the ability to burrow an unclassified tunnel through the classified system. By doing this we can have unclassified data moving independently within a secure network."
This is a major advance for the signal community in being able meet subscriber communication requirements in the field. Often, our units support Combat Service Support (CSS) units who rely on the use of unclassified software packages to complete vital logistical and administrative coordination. With the addition of NES, these subscribers can fully utilize these resources in the tactical environment.
Spc. LaShawn Moore, HHD, 198th
Signal Battalion, programs data into the Network Encryption System
(NES) terminal.
NES is a stand-alone configuration with its own
laptop computer that is used for programming data. Unclassified terminals
are then run from the NES to the subscriber's area of operation. During
the training, soldiers learned how to program the system, and learned
‘ranging,’ which allows them to properly assign IP (internet protocol)
sets for the unclassified terminal addresses.
This new equipment is provided by Communications Security Logistics Activity (CSLA), who work with the Army Signal Command (ASC) in Fort Huachua, Arizona. Mr. Darrell Jeffries and Mr. Harry Crawford, who are consultants at CSLA, conducted training for the brigade.
NES was introduced to the 261st Signal Brigade and its subordinate units during last year's Annual Training exercise, Grecian Firebolt '01. It will be incorporated into the network again this year. Our units will work with our Active Duty counterparts on the successful implementation of this equipment at Grecian Firebolt ’02.
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Mr. Jeffries, CSLA, assists Sgt. Connie Jones, Det. 1, 280th Signal Battalion and Sgt. Selena Cannon with troubleshooting a problem. |
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