Deployed troops get U.S. radio, TV
By Senior Airman Catharine Schmidt, Air Force Print News / Published August 27, 2003
SAN ANTONIO --
Most U.S. forces deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom have access to American Forces Radio and Television Service broadcasts.
The Air Force Broadcasting Service provides radio and television service to servicemembers assigned within the U.S. Central Command areas of operation in Central Asia, Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa. Programs are delivered on the American Forces Network to servicemembers assigned overseas, providing U.S. radio and television to American military members as they serve around the world.
“For the most part, every single soldier, sailor, Marine and airman serving in Central Asia and Southwest Asia, including Iraq, have access to (our) services,” said Michael Kinchen, director of Air Force Broadcasting Service here.
Although a few groups may not have direct service, usually broadcasts are available at nearby locations.
“(Of course) the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq change frequently and … some of our U.S. forces who move around … may not always have direct … service, but all of the major troop concentrations are being served,” Kinchen said.
Several types of television-signal distribution systems are offered, the most common being the “TV-Receive-Only.”
“This system consists of a single satellite dish and one decoder, feeding one television,” Kinchen said. “These systems are used in common-use areas, (like) dayrooms, recreation tents, dining facilities or other large-gathering areas.”
There are 336 TV-Receive-Only systems in Iraq, with plans to transmit at six major troop locations there.
“We are currently working … to provide AFRTS service to all U.S. forces in Iraq, at their bases and recreational areas,” Kinchen said.
Broadcasters are working nonstop to provide service to forces in Iraq, according to Kinchen.
“This time of year, when college and professional sports get underway, there is a hunger for lots of sports on radio and television,” Kinchen said. “News from home, seeing or hearing about the ‘home team,’ and enjoying top music hits or favorite television shows are big morale boosters for our freedom fighters. And we will not be satisfied until they have all our services.”