CAMP PALAN, Korea -- Communication abilities have been taken to a new level for Marines participating in the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration exercise 2004 here at Camp Palan, Republic of Korea.
The new Republic of Korea Internet Protocol Routed Network allows more efficient communications throughout the Pacific theatre.
“We’ve installed a brand new communication system here at Palan, it’s known as the RIPRNet,” said Maj. Eric Litchfield, Marine Forces Pacific Korean communications planning officer. “We’ve now connected the entire Marine Forces Pacific, whether in CONUS, garrison or a tactical location, to our new network.”
In previous exercises at Palan, Marines were connected through the Global Command Control Systems Korea Network. According to Litchfield, the GCCS-K system was not a tactically viable network and needed upgrading.
“The old system simply did not meet the Marine Corps requirement for expeditionary warfare,” said Litchfield.
Within a matter of days, the Marines working along side the Republic of Korea Marines have been able to install and run brand new servers and networks before the start of RSO&I 04.
A number of benefits accompany the new system.
According to Sgt. Travis Ronzio, a computer technician and information insurance non-commissioned officer for Marine Forces Pacific, the biggest one benefit of the new system is ease of maintenance.
“With the new system, the Marines can now manage their own system,” said Ronzio. “This gives us a sense of independence that we didn’t have with the GCCS-K system. This allows us to pass information much easier and allows for ease of maintenance.”
Ronzio also added that although a learning process is required, because it is a new communication system, once everyone is familiar with it, it will be a great asset to the Marine Corps.
“We wanted contingency,” added Ronzio. “With the new system being permanent, we won’t have to reinvent the wheel every time we deploy to Palan.”
According to Litchfield, without the help of the Republic of .Korea. Marines, this system would not be in place.
“The R.O.K Marines were a great help in establishing this RIPRNet,” said Litchfield. “They provided the location, power and engineering support for the main network operations center, for that we are grateful.”