New automation devices would enhance SDDC port operations.

John Smith's eyes get big and his talk animated when he speaks about the potential value of new automation devices for SDDC port operations.

Smith, Deputy Chief of Staff of G-6 (Information Management), is talking about such devices as the "Trek Sat" which provides core communication situated on a HMMVW vehicle and the 43-pound Vanguard Ultra Single-Case Secure Mobile Office.

"This is what I have been searching for during the past four-and a-half years," said Smith, the tenure of the retired Army lieutenant colonel with SDDC. He hopes to develop capital funding for purchase or leasing of the systems in fiscal year 2005.

"This will bring SDDC into the 21st century. It will help us with our distribution mission."

Smith is viewing automation tools he wants to introduce into SDDC port units at the Commanders' Conference, July 16, at Williamsburg, Va.

With a satellite dish mounted on top, the Trek Sat looms heavy in Smith's future automation vision.

Moving mobile port operations centers and deployment port operations centers around the world are expensive, said Smith. SDDC has two of the former and five of the later.

With the Trek Sat mounted on a HMMWV, said Smith, there is an inexpensive and agile solution for port communications in fast-breaking contingency situations. Within his concept thinking, the existing centers would only be used for overseas missions.

Smith would like to lease three or four of the vehicular-mounted satellite devices to move around the continental United States. The value of leasing is the commercial owner will continue to update the system.

"You pull up to the pier and plug it in," said Smith. "You have all communications instantly."

A 28-day test of Trek Sat proved successful in a Philadelphia port operation, he said.

"It is a great concept!" said Smith. "It is a reasonable investment that has the potential for providing outstanding communications support."

Capt. Derek Bozeman, a member of G-6's Special Projects team, agrees enthusiastically with SDDC's chief information officer.

"These things make sense," said Bozeman, an individual mobilization augment who is a former U.S. Air Force communications officer. "They are cost effective."

Technical and Management Services Corp., of West Long Branch, N.J., built the prototype of the Trek Sat in 2001, mounted within a civilian HMMWV frame.

"It has provided great interest among potential military customers, said William Lugaro, senior systems engineer.

The Trek Sat, including a company trainer-operator, leases for about $60,000 a month, said Lugaro.

The device can be operational in 10 minutes, he said.

"The great value of this device is it can communicate information from automated systems," said Lugaro.

Smith said the Vanguard Ultra Single-Case Secure Mobile Office, is another needed automation product for use by SDDC port units.

It provides instant communications for a hasty mission, he said. It is light and highly mobile.

"Ideally, I would like one in each of our 12 transportation battalions," said Smith.

"It is for short-term, quick, Caribbean-type missions," said Smith. "it is to be used when I can't get larger packages (automation devices) in there."

The mobile office, which sells for $33,000, is produced by GCS, of Victor, N.Y.

"It is very user friendly," said Daniel Dick, manager of business development.

John Randt, Director, Command Affairs SDDC HQ Alexandria