European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 07, 1967, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Getting a Telephone Call through military Long distance exchanges can be a frustrating experience As any dealer with a worn Index Finger will agree. But it in t the fault of the signal technicians who stand poised with trouble shooting equipment on wheels to untangle any knots. Typical of the nerve centers which keep lines humming is the Kaiser Lautem signal service unit of . Army strategic communications . One of five such outfits of the 4th signal group which is based in Munich the signal service unit commanded by maj. Richard h. Hightower keeps some $8 million Worth of equipment clicking. Its five sub units boast an average 2,000 lines 19 operators four supervisors and a chief operator and assistant. Complicating the problem Are the Many types of transmission lines a dial voice frequency and vhf. And if that weren t enough to keep the outfit tied up its men also operate a teletype terminal and a High Speed data Ter Minal station in the world wide stardom net. It s no wonder that the caller comes up with a Busy signal now and then. Rays a photos by Bob Milnes Kaiser Lautem operators help out when Calls can t be dialled direct or trouble crops up. Repair equipment is on rollers for Quick service. Test Board at Kaiser Lautem helps pinpoint problems. Signal Section technician runs test on circuit Board to head off malfunctions. Page 12 b the stars and stripes saturday october 7, 1967 the stars and stripes Page 13