SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 2503rd Digital Liaison Detachment and its reserve counterpart the 206th DLD out of Columbia, S.C., trained together for the first time at the Mission Training Center on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 2, 2018.
“This is the first time that I can think of that a reserve and active DLD have had the opportunity to train together,” said, Col. Oscar Doward, Jr., commander, 2503rd Digital Liaison Detachment, USARCENT.
Since its approval in 2009, DLDS were developed to provide liaison capability between joint force land component command/coalition forces land component command, joint task force, subordinate headquarters, and multinational headquarters to ensure communication, mutual understanding, unity of purpose, and action.
The two units have the opportunity to train at the mission training center provides Soldiers with all the tools and operating systems in order to conduct beneficial and realistic training, and ensure that we meet the intent of or mission said Doward.
“The two units have been corresponding since the reactivation of the 2503rd. The engagements have included face-to-face visits among commanders and monthly teleconferences with their staffs.
The relationship has grown to the point that the 2503rd and 206th DLD will join together again for exercise Eager Lion 18, held annually at the Joint Military Training in the country Jordan.
“It’s a great opportunity for us and the 206th to participate in this exercise, we will get work side-by-side and learn from one another. They have Soldiers that have knowledge that we can benefit from and we have Soldiers with expertise that can benefit them.
While at Eager Lion the two DLDs will work together in an operational environment to achieve and maintain a coalition common operational picture so the USARCENT team can properly communicate with its coalition partner of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
“It was extremely beneficial training for us, me and my counterpart got to come together to prepare and plan our movement to Jordan for exercise Eager Lion,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Borem, a transportation noncommissioned officer for the 2503rd DLD.