My life in the Navy

Another chapter in Tony's life as a U.S. Navy Sailor

So, the second chapter in my life, as a United States Navy Sailor, begins in Sicily, Italy, with NCTSI Det FOUR (Naval Center for Tactical Systems Interoperability - Detachment 4). With NCTSI, my responsibilities are quite null when compared to my life on the ship. I won't lie to you, it's down right boring. Here's the scoop.
We work mainly with AWACS aircraft, among other land units, transferring data over what's called a data link. Essentially, the AWACS sends us everything he sees on his radar. Then, we in return forward that data, in real time, to our commanders stationed throughout Europe. They will then take that information and make any tactical assessments or decisions based what type of activity they see. Like I said, it's really simple and boring work.
A typical day for me when I'm out in the field, whenever I'm away from Sicily that is, only consists of turning on a bunch of equipment and computer systems, getting the settings correct, and watching the data flow. That's it! At most, I'll have to intervene and analyze something if there's a problem with the data flow... But all in all, that's it! The only other thing is just to take care of myself, stay heathly, and stay sane. That last one is a bit difficult some times considering a slight problem with a couple of my co-workers. Not that I have a personal problem with them, just a working relationship one. I swear, a couple of the people I work with make what we do seem a task that requires the brains of Einstein. When in fact, given a reasonable amount of time, I could teach to a monkey to do what we do here. It's a freaking three year vacation for crying out loud!!! Then again, a persons competence is not very high on the navy's list of importance, so why bother discussing my co-workers inadequacies... :-\|
Ok, so now that we've got that covered, here's a few pictures to show you what I work with here.
Ok, here's some of the computer gear that displays the data in a real time picture we receive from the aircraft and forward to our commanders.			This picture is of out mobile link translator unit. MULTS. (Ok, so it's really a Hummer, but the communication gear in the back changes the name to MULTS. haha
This is what's in the back of our Hummer. Various communication and computer equipment.			Here's my buddy Darin showing off he muscles (and me in the bottom right) as we try and build a shelter our MULTS can back up to.
Here we are again working on getting some support before we begin working on the frontal portion of our little project.			Here's the structure we built. It isn't quite finished here, but hey, it does what it's supposed to do...create distance from the building and stop the rain or snow from getting inside it... hehe
Here is a picture of Vieste. It's a little resort town on the Adriatic coast not far from the mountain we work on.			Here's another cool picture of Vieste. When I tell you I'm up on the mountain, or in Jacotenente, Vieste is the town where we rent our motel rooms.
I currently don't have any picture of the base we work out of here in Sigonella Sicily, but when I do I'll go ahead and put them up here. It's really no BIG thing...It's just office space... =)
To read about my first few days after arriving in Sicily, Italy, click HERE

To return to the beginning of my website, click HERE