Posted on: Friday, January 25, 2002

Video chats let troops connect with families

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Wife Nancy, Chris, 11, Cameron, 9, and Conner, 3, talk to dad Sgt. Bud Toepfer, who answers their questions while on the screen from his training at Fort Polk, La., for a peacekeeping assignment in Bosnia. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

With training wrapping up in Fort Polk, La., for peacekeeping duties in Bosnia this spring, the 25th Infantry Division (Light) last night practiced one of the most important missions of all: staying in touch with home.

On a big-screen television at Schofield Barracks, wives got to talk with husbands, and children said "hi" to dad at the Joint Readiness Training Center in the southern state.

Once the troops are in Bosnia, "video teleconference" rooms and 12 computer monitors will be set up so soldiers can maintain those ties.

E-mail has made a world of difference for soldiers far from home, and the ability to add video teleconferencing becomes another plus.

"This is another world," said Maj. Gen. James Dubik, commanding general of the 25th Division and U.S. Army Hawaii. "When I deployed to Haiti we didn't have any of this, and that was in 1994. It's all good."

Staff Sgt. Bud Toepfer, who works in computer support and was among those in Louisiana, but will not be deploying to Bosnia, spotted his wife and three sons at the Schofield meeting room.

"Hi dad," said Chris, 11. "How are you doing?" came the reply.

"I miss you, dad," said Cameron, 9.

"I miss you, too," responded his father.

Bud Toepfer's wife Nancy said, "I think it's great because family members can see their spouses or loved ones when they can't be together. It's better than e-mail or a phone call because you can actually see them face to face."

Command staffs here and in Bosnia that are part of "Task Force Eagle Stabilization Force 11" also will use the video technology to stay in touch.

About 2,500 Hawaii-based soldiers took part in the month-long training at Fort Polk, where Bosnian towns were replicated in preparation for peacekeeping duties.

About 2,000 soldiers from the total will begin deploying to Bosnia in mid-March, and start their six-month watch in early April. Others will fulfill support roles from Hawai'i.

The bulk of soldiers who underwent the training will leave for Hawai'i this weekend.

Dubik said the training went "very, very well."

"The leaders were well prepared to deal with a variety of situations," he said, "and the soldiers were very disciplined in the (demonstration) of their tasks."

National Guard units from states including Indiana, Idaho and Montana and reservists from around the country will round out the U.S. force heading to the northeastern Bosnian city of Tuzla.