Eglin recently completed an upgrade of its Combat Information Transport
System, or CITS, thanks to an Air Force-wide initiative to update communications. As part
of that initiative, the Air Force committed more than $1 billion for an overhaul of
fiber-optic links at 108 bases worldwide. Eglin's share for its upgrade was $6.75
million for network equipment that is the backbone of local area network connections. The
update replaces old copper cable that was once the industry's standard.
Starting last September, Eglin began to run more than 63 miles of fiber
optic cable to connect 142 'core' buildings and 12 information transfer nodes, said Staff
Sgt. Eric Beasley, 96th Communications Squadron's project action officer. "This
project was a major undertaking," Beasley reported. "It took a lot of
coordination to ensure base utilities weren't interrupted during the installation."
Heading the installation team was Charles Monroe, program manager from
the 38th Engineering and Installation Wing at Tinker AFB, Okla. "Team Eglin does what
it says-it works together," said Monroe. "Everyone was on the same wavelength,
and there were no delays due to the tremendous support the installation team
received." Fiber optics transmits digitized messages or information by light
pulses along hair-thin glass fibers. Cables of optical fibers can be made smaller and
lighter than conventional cables using copper wires, yet they can carry much more
information, making them useful for transmitting large amounts of data. According to Zane
Gray, project engineer for the 38th EIW, CITS provides a uniform backbone architecture for
a wide area as well as the local area.
"This system will carry the U. S. Air Force well into the 21st
century," Gray reported. The use of fiber optic cable also increases computer
security, an added plus, said Phil Hansford, base computer security facility officer here.
"These cables don't broadcast or emit a signal such as the old copper wiring,"
said Hansford. " Tapping into them is more easily detected."
Another advantage is optical cable is immune to electromagnetic
interference from lightning, nearby electric motors, and similar sources. But most
importantly, the new system benefits Eglin's ability to get the mission done faster and
more efficiently.
"This system lays a lot of capability in our lap," said Col.
Michael J. Basla, commander of the 96th Communications Group. "It challenges us to
make the most of those capabilities." He also reported that the
behind-the-scene support and services were enhanced without most people realizing changes
were made.
Eglin is ahead of the most bases in upgrading digital communication. The
Air Force's CITS program's timeline extends to year 2004.
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