Constellation Networks… A Reward For Service (SatCom)

[SatNews] Boxes depart from Constellation Networks Corporation (CNC) to Afghanistan on a near-daily basis.

Along with satellite Internet communication equipment to support individual U.S. Troops who want to use their own laptops, these boxes sometimes include homemade cookies, candies, or cherry flavored treats (CNC headquarters is in Traverse City, the “cherry capital of the world”). Recently, it was CNC’s turn to receive a treat, however. CNC’s daily mail arrived with a box from Afghanistan containing a U.S. flag neatly folded into a triangle with stars displayed. A certificate showed the flag was flown over the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan during combat operations on February 11, 2011 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Presented by Alpha Troop, FT Six Shooters, Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, CW2 Filip Dziembowski said in an email, “Megan, thank you! You and your company have greatly improved the lives of 25+ families by providing us such phenomenal Internet service!!! Thank you again.”

“This flag is more reward than anything could ever be. To know that we can do something to help these soldiers keep in touch with their families feels like we get to make a little difference in the world,” said Megan Hall, Director of International Sales for Constellation Networks. As one could imagine, life in a warzone doesn’t have many comforts of home. In order to communicate with family, soldiers wait in line to use a basic internet service at a cafe provided by the government. Speeds are slow and equipment is limited. Given a typical deployment is a full year with a single leave for two weeks, a lot can be missed without the basic ability to communicate with home. By procuring satellite internet service from CNC, soldiers are able to see and hear their children and spouses from the privacy of their own rooms. Home now seems just a little closer.