Minot communicator, Warren native, has channel to morale building for Southwest Asia unit

Staff Sgt. Randy Reiterman, cable television engineering and installation craftsman with the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, tests cable mounts in his workcenter Jan. 15, 2010, at a non-disclosed location in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Reiterman is responsible for supporting the massive networking of television capability across the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing?s infrastructure along with other commercial network support. He is deployed from the 5th Communications Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and his hometown is Warren, Mich. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)

Published Jan. 15, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- "Put the remote down, Staff Sgt. Randy Reiterman is here to fix the cable!"

No, Sergeant Reiterman doesn't work for a cable company, but he does make sure deployed Airmen have the latest television available to them from the Armed Forces Network and other networks at a non-disclosed location in Southwest Asia. Deployed with the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, the cable television engineering and installation craftsman is responsible for supporting the massive networking of television capability across the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's infrastructure along with other commercial network support.

"Not only is my office and unit responsible for the installation, engineering and maintenance of the satellite cable TV distribution system across base, we're also responsible for the commercial Internet distribution system for the entire base," Sergeant Reiterman said.

A 10-year Air Force veteran, Sergeant Reiterman is deployed from the 5th Communications Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. He said his deployed duties significantly impact the deployed Airman's morale.

"When an Airman can view a TV channel their familiar with back home, it helps them feel more at home," said Sergeant Reiterman whose hometown is Warren, Mich. "Morale is considered by many to be one of the greatest necessities to a deployed services member. Our mission provides deployed service members with internet capabilities such as electronic mail, messaging and video teleconferencing with loved ones. The satellite TV system provides everyone with U.S. cable TV programming, AFN programming and other European and Middle Eastern programming."

It also didn't take an infomercial for Sergeant Reiterman to want to be a part of the Air Force. Over his military career, the 1999 graduate of Lincoln High School in Warren said he can't imagine a better team to tune into.

"I'm extremely proud to be serving alongside some of the greatest men and women in the world," Sergeant Reiterman said. "I wouldn't change what we do or the way we do it for anything at all."

The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The wing supports Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.