IT TAKES A TEAM
MR. NOEL PLETA & MS. JENNIFER WHITMORE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD
BRINGING ENERGY TO THE MISSION
W
hen Noel Pleta and Jennifer Whitmore arrived in Afghanistan in August 2012, the conditions were so poor that the engineers had to overhaul several combat outposts (COPs) to lay a sound
power and energy foundation before implementing operational energy plans.
“Many of the COPs were on their last leg of generator power, causing them to shut down their sustainment or life support systems and focus on the tactical support systems,” said Pleta.
“And we found that backup power for tactical operation centers [TOCs] wasn’t consistent.”
Pleta and Whitmore served as lead power assessment engineers in a team of 24 responsible for assessing and improving the energy stability of forward-deployed units throughout Afghani- stan. Tey traveled in teams of five, assessing operational energy requirements in several COPs and village stability platforms (VSPs) and implementing energy improvement plans.
As electrical engineers from the Power Division of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Pleta and Whitmore had the rare opportunity to deploy to Afghanistan for several months in support of Project Manager Mobile Electric Power (PM MEP).
Operational energy consists of the energy and associated systems, information and processes required to train, move and sustain forces and systems for military operations. A key enabler for Army operations, essential for combined arms maneuvers and required for Soldier sustainment, it supports everything from the operations center to running water and dining facilities. Te Army is developing ways to increase performance, reduce con- sumption, increase efficiency and ensure availability.
As lead power assessment engineers, Pleta and Whitmore looked at a detailed layout of the area, the state of current power sources and consumption rates to develop tailored power grid plans that
could make the outposts fully operational and support quality- of-life amenities such as dining facilities and latrines.
“It was very informative to see how the Soldiers use the equipment, how often they perform maintenance… or don’t,” said Whitmore.
“In high elevations with extreme weather conditions, a warm shower can really boost morale. In one COP, the Soldiers were very thankful, especially with power and air conditioners. It makes a difference in temperatures exceeding 120 degrees!” Pleta added.
Most of the time, the power grid plans required new equipment in a “push package,” a list of equipment that was shipped to theater by air. “Our guys [at PM MEP] did a really good job
PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE “It’s been the highlight of my career to make a difference in a Soldier’s life,” said Noel Pleta. “If the TOC goes down, the mission is compro- mised as well as their safety. … That’s why it’s so important to me to do it right the first time.” (Photos courtesy of CERDEC Public Affairs)
126
Army AL&T Magazine
July–September 2013
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