News

5th CCG hosts Tactical Technology Showcase

  • Published
  • By Wayne Crenshaw
  • 78 ABW/PA
ROBINS AFB, Ga. --  From rugged laptop computers that can survive in harsh, desert environments to unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles that can fit in a car trunk, Team Robins members got a look at some of the latest in military technology last week.

The 5th Combat Communications Group hosted a Tactical Technology Showcase. It included about 60 vendors who set up in tents at the 5th CCG's Gator Air Base.

Rebecca Lyons of National Conference Services, which organized the event, said it wasn't intended so much as a sales event but for networking and education.

"It's so that people can see what's on the market," she said.

2nd Lt. John Visneski, who helped organize the event for the 5th CCG, said it started out as a communications technology fair to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the 5th CCG. Once word got around, a wider variety of venders expressed interest and it grew.

The event featured such items as a tactical boat, an armored Hummer and the latest in body armor. It also included some low-tech items such as combat knives.

They were hoping for a crowd of about 500 and they ended up having 650 people attend, Lieutenant Visneski said.

"The main purpose was to show the tactical technologies that are available," he said, adding that wireless technology is becoming increasingly important to modern combat operations.

The event began with 5th CCG members performing a simulated attack for early arrivers.
Thomas Lewis, director of sales for Amrel Reliance Inc., was showing off some of the company's rugged laptop computers designed to withstand the abuses of field work. The computers, which start at $4,300, are waterproof and shock proof.

"They are made to play in the nasty places of the world," he said.