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ECS works to improve SATCOM on KAF

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 451st AEW Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  As part of a theater-wide satellite realignment, the 451st Expeditionary Communications Squadron has redirected one of two satellite dishes to a new satellite in order to provide a redundancy and more bandwidth.

Previously, both satellite dishes were pointed to the same satellite. Now, they're pointed to two different satellites as directed by the Defense Information Systems Agency.

"If one satellite has an issue, all communications would go down if both dishes are pointed at the same satellite," said Capt. Michael Williams, 451st ECS Plans and Programs Flight commander.

The satellite dish that was recently redirected to the second satellite is currently responsible for U.S. Air Force communication on Kandahar. The other satellite dish provides more bandwidth to the theater and allows for future expansion.

These satellite dishes were installed here four months ago and provide availability of all types of communication for Airmen on Kandahar. Other services work from their own satellites dishes.