MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines from Support Company, 9th Communications Battalion, deployed a new satellite communications system during the I Marine Expeditionary Force Command Center Capabilities Exercise Aug. 18-23 at Camp Del Mar.

The exercise marked the first time the Secure Mobile Anti-jamming Reliable Tactical Terminal had been used during a command-level exercise, providing several new and improved capabilities over older systems.

"It's a quick way to set up communications for a forward unit," said Staff Sgt. Brian Hudnet, a satellite communications technician with the company. "With the predecessor, it took more time to set up and more logistics to support."

9th Communications Battalion is the first communications battalion in the Corps to receive the SMART-T, which it received two months ago, according to Pfc. Mark Galloway, a SMART-T operator.

The terminal communicates with the MILSTAR satellite system, which was first deployed in 1998 to help reduce interference, Hudnet said. Using the MILSTAR system makes it easier to use the SMART-T system for long-range communication.

"On the old equipment, you had to shoot (the signal) up to the satellite, and it would come back down to earth, and it would come back up, until it got to the area you're talking to," said Hudnet. "On this one, the satellites cross-communicate with each other."

The terminal allows them to communicate with other units via satellite in the field.

"This system was designed for a regiment or division-sized unit," Hudnet said. "To support the division and regiment and to communicate with them, we have to have the same system."

The SMART-T offers a more stable connection than previous satellite communications terminals.

"It's very reliable," said Capt. Billy Cornell, a communications planner for I MEF. "The users would see a very stable network that they're talking over. Once it's set up, it stays up."

The overall benefit of the system is that it gives commanders better coordination with subordinate units.

"It allows the I MEF commander to keep better situational awareness on the battlefield," Cornell said. "SMART-T meets requirements that I MEF has had for years."