1976
The 143d Signal Battalion Project Partnership activities in 1976 consisted of military training and social activities.These activities were on-going and were recurring through out the year as mission and training requirements permitted or integrated into mission training wherever possible.
The social activities encompassed formal parties, informal parties, and athletic events. These varied activities provided a wide range of opportunities to find common grounds for understanding. Additionally the opportunity was provided for an interchange of social customs and courtesies under varied conditions. These social functions resulted in understanding of traditions on a person to person level. The outcome of which was the development of lasting friendships and mutual respect between members of the two battalions and their families. These friendships have insured the continuation of the Project Partnership program out of a true desire to participate in joint activities with friends of Fernmeldebataillon 5. The battalion's program is not based solely of the desire to fulfill a requirement.
On the other hand the military activities have familiarized personnel of the battalions with the weapons and equipment utilized by their sister battalion. These military activities have increased the ability of the 143d Signal Battalion to interface professionally with our sister battalion. The unit exchange programs of four days duration each month has placed soldiers into the position of their counterpart during a normal working day.
This program has accomplished a professional working knowledge of the sister battalion's equipment and method of operation. This knowledge is invaluable if the need arises where the two units must work closely together during mission accomplishment. The military activities made it possible to interface the US Army Tactical Automatic Switching System (TASS) with the German Division level manual switchboard system during Reforger 1976.
Bicentennial 1776-1976
143d Signal Battalion
Fernmeldebataillon 5
Project Partnership
1976 Calendar of Events
DATE
| ACTIVITY |
15 members of B Company, 143d Signal Battalion were hosted by the 5 Panzer Division (Bundeswehr). The US Signal men became acquainted with the famous Leopard Panzer, and were given the opportunity to earn the German Tanker Badge. | |
15-19 March 1976 | B Company, 143d Signal Battalion and 2nd Kompanie Fernmeldebataillon 5 inter unit exchange program. |
29-30 March 1976 | Twenty personnel from Fernmeldebataillon 5 fired at Bernbach range with elements of the 143d Signal Battalion. |
Officers and their wives of the 143d Signal Battalion attended a formal party hosted by the officers of Fernmeldebataillon 5 at Dietz. | |
12-16 April 1976 | B Company, 143d Signal Battalion and 2nd Kompanie Fernmeldebataillon 5, inter unit exchange program. |
| The former commander of Fernmeldebataillon 5, LTC Donner received the US Army Commendation Medal at Edwards Kaserne, | |
28-29 April 1976 | Members of B Company, 143d Signal Battalion (15) participated in qualification for the Bundeswehr Marksmanship Badge. |
The 143d Signal Battalion participated in the Swearing in Ceremony of new soldiers into the German Army at Dietz. | |
8 May 1976 | The officers and their families of the 143d Signal Battalion and Fernmeldebataillon 5 held a picnic at Rhein-Main Air Base Recreation Area. |
Twelve enlisted men and women, and eight officers from the 143d Signal Battalion viewed the display of military equipment and-participated in social functions in celebration of the 5th Panzer Division's 20th Anniversary at Diez. | |
Fernmeldebataillon 5 participated in the 143d Signal Battalion Change of Command Ceremony at | |
A liaison meeting was held at duty to discuss and plan Project Partnership activities. | |
2-6 August 1976 | Fernmeldebataillon 5 participated in the 143d Signal Battalion Signal field exercise by providing one wire team to interconnect the 143d Signal Battalion's multichannel system to the Fernmeldebataillon wire telephone system. |
11-12 August 1976 | Fernmeldebataillon 5 sent a switchboard team with a switchboard to |
A group of 30 personnel from Fernmeldebataillon 5 participated in the 143d Signal Battalion Organization Day at | |
4-8 October 1976 | 5 members of B Company, 143d Signal Battalion and 2nd Kompanie Fernmeldebataillon 5 exchanged duty positions for five days. |
LTC Jones, Battalion Commander, 143d Signal Battalion visited Fernmeldebataillon 5. LTC Jones was given a tour of the battalion facilities and future partnership activities were planned. | |
| 9 November 1976 | Four officers and NCOs of Fernmeldebataillon 5 visited the 143d Signal Battalion in the field during a signal field exercise. |
Members of B Company, 143d Signal Battalion and 2nd Kompanie Fernmeldebataillon 5 visited the | |
| Sixty members of Fernmeldebataillon 5 joined members of the 143d Signal Battalion for Thanksgiving Day dinner at the Edwards Dining Facility. | |
7-11 December 1976 | Soldiers of B Company, 143d Signal Battalion and 2nd Kompanie Fernmeldebataillon 5 exchanged duty positions for five days. |
The officers and their wives of the 143d Signal Battalion hosted the officers and their wives of Fernmeldebataillon 5 at the annual Officers Christmas Party. | |
B Company, 143d Signal Battalion and the 2nd Kompanie Fernmeldebataillon hosted their annual Christmas Ball at |
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