How 4th CAB Strengthens Signal Corps Capabilities

Stewarding the Signal Profession

By Chief Warrant Officer 2 Cody T. Fields

Article published on: July 1, 2025 in the Army Communicator July 2025 Issue

Read Time: < 3 mins

Over the past 165 years, the Signal Corps has ensured that our forces have secure, reliable, and flexible communications. We have connected people, supported operations, and contributed to numerous victories.

I am proud to share some of my personal experiences serving as the network systems technician for the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) in Fort Carson, Colorado, as we celebrate the Army's 250th birthday and the Signal Corps' 165th anniversary.

At 4th CAB, we have a clear mission: to empower five aviation battalions and the brigade headquarters with voice, video, and data capabilities, even in the toughest tactical environments. I am fortunate to work with a motivated team of signal professionals who pair their technical skills with creative problem-solving to keep our Soldiers connected, both on and off the battlefield. With a need to keep our Soldiers and equipment mission-ready, our responsibilities range from managing complex network operations, circuit engineering, continuous quarterly updates, maintenance, and spectrum allocation. Knowing that our work directly supports the success of our warfighters is something I take pride in

The driving force of what we do is operational readiness. Upon arriving at the unit, less than 15% of the brigade’s satellite transportable terminals (STTs) were fully mission capable. Maintaining the STTs is one of our main responsibilities, as they are essential for beyond-line-of-sight communications. We utilized our signal maintenance protocols by the systems' technical manual and conducted hands-on training sessions with Soldiers alongside our civilian U.S. Army Communications- Electronics Command team. After a few months, we achieved over an 85% STT readiness rate while enhancing the operators' skills and ensuring our systems remain mission capable. Even though the lesson learned was going back to the basics and conducting regular signal maintenance, overall, it’s about ensuring that our warfighters need to communicate and guaranteeing that we are ready to support them.

To combat this continuously evolving environment of modern warfare, exercising adaptability is essential. A challenge our team faced was the requirement to access our local data environment during a rotation at the National Training Center. Our solution was to leverage Global Agile Integrated Transport with the Regional Hub Node to establish a "reach-back" connection to Fort Carson. This connection enhanced staff support, streamlined planning, and improved mission execution for the aviation task force. When resources are constrained, our ability to problem-solve and adapt is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Signal Corps.

During a division exercise recently, we faced the challenge of requiring bandwidth necessary to access cloud resources, live battle-tracking, and to communicate with higher echelons. With just a layer-three capable switch and an inline encryption device, our network operations team managed to put together a flyaway kit capable of tunneling through fiber pedestals located in the training area. We also utilized high-capacity line-of-sight connections for efficient command post displacement without losing bandwidth capabilities from the pedestal. Our priority was on maintaining connectivity without sacrificing efficiency. When a Soldier picks up a radio or logs onto a network, they trust us to deliver uninterrupted, secure communication. That trust drives every decision I make.

The most rewarding aspect of stewarding the profession throughout my career has been training Soldiers. I have witnessed their confidence grow as they hit checkpoints during assessments. Working alongside our division G6 and the Ivy Division Signal University, we lead two training sessions to boost our Soldiers’ technical proficiency on their assigned systems. By guiding them through certification courses, engaging field exercises, and continuous validations, signal leaders help cultivate a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and technical excellence. Investing in the next generation of leaders means every operator is equipped to handle the demands of current and future communications.

Fellow Signaleers, our roles may be different, yet they are still interconnected. Whether you are repairing essential equipment, developing new communication solutions, or mentoring emerging technical leaders, you are helping to build a legacy rooted in service, sacrifice, and technical innovation.

As we look toward the future, stewarding our profession continues to be pivotal as ever. We honor our storied past while expanding the limits of what is possible for the warfighter.

My career as a network systems technician reflects the dedication, innovation, and responsibility inherent in the Signal Corps. I stand proud as part of a team that supports current battlefield operations and shapes the future of military communications. Together, we keep progressing, adapting, and inspiring, ensuring that secure, dependable communication remains a cornerstone of our nation's defense.