Tobyhanna Support Evolves to Boost Language Labs Efficiency

It is no secret that the battlefield is changing at a rapid pace. And after more than seven decades of service as a leading readiness provider, Tobyhanna Army Depot continues to evolve to equip a ready, modern, and prepared generation of our nation’s warfighters with the tools they need to succeed.

Despite the ever-evolving nature of combat, some things remain fundamental to mission success. One such example is crisp, clear communication. This is where Tobyhanna Army Depot’s over two decades of support to its Language Labs mission has helped to “aid in cooperation and break down language barriers between foreign military personnel and our own soldiers on the ground,” according to Logistics Management Specialist Michael McCain.

The critical Language Labs mission provides allied foreign military forces with the tools they need to learn the English language.

Per the Defense Language Institute English Learning Center’s website, “CECOM, through U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, is the provider of English Language Laboratory Systems and affiliated support equipment.”

Over the course of Tobyhanna’s lengthy support of the mission, several iterations of systems have passed through the depot’s doors including Audio Active Language Labs and Training Multimedia Language Labs, which are now legacy systems. Depot personnel’s comprehensive support for these computer lab-style systems began on the production floor with kitting, testing, packaging, and shipping before stretching across the globe when depot employees would arrive sixty days later to complete the installation and provide training for the foreign nationals receiving the technology.

The last of these legacy systems are set to be installed by Tobyhanna personnel shortly, and the current generation CC English Language Laboratory System will be arriving at the depot soon.

Forward Maintenance & Modernization Project Management Branch Chief Dennis Karchin said the longevity of the mission is a testament to its importance.

“This mission endures because it remains a value to provide English language proficiency to our allies. It’s still needed for communications and remains a benefit.”

Karchin added that the depot is eager to showcase its versatility in support of the mission into the future.

“As we shift to this new role, we’re still getting orders in, and they plan to continue,” said Karchin.

Over two decades of comprehensive support to the Language Labs mission has made members of Team Tobyhanna like Digital Computer Mechanic Edward Voychuk subject matter experts and the right people to carry this mission into the future.

Voychuk has been supporting the Language Labs mission for the better part of two decades and says this new technology ensures increased efficiency and effectiveness for both Tobyhanna and the foreign nationals utilizing it.

“15 years ago, I was traveling a good six months out of the year doing these installs. It has gotten more efficient and evolved over the years.”

Voychuk takes pride in the adaptability shown by himself and members of the team to ensure mission success.

“I pride myself on the fact that despite any obstacles I’ve encountered, I’ve never failed to install a lab.”

Voychuk’s supervisor, C4 Systems Support Branch Chief Ryan Stephenson, is relatively new to this role but has found that Tobyhanna remains as vital to the mission as ever and expects the depot to continue supporting the depot for years to come.

“People may be surprised to hear that Language Labs is enduring, but there is still a need. Our specific expertise is relied upon, and the wealth of knowledge in our branch is something to be proud of,” said Stephenson.

The new laptop-centric model is more flexible, allows more self-teaching opportunities than its predecessors, and eliminates the lengthy installation and training process. As Tobyhanna shifts the focus of its support for the mission to procurement and transportation, this new generation of language labs support will increase production capability and safety.

Depot personnel will be procuring laptops and cabinets before loading Defense Language Institute software onto the laptops and packing and shipping the vital technology to allied nations. The less rigorous setup process facilitated by technological advancements, expertise of depot artisans, and elimination of unforeseen delays in installing the system means this critical readiness technology will reach its destination significantly and consistently faster.

Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Language Labs mission is an excellent example of how Tobyhanna’s agile workforce evolves with the technology at the disposal of our warfighters, to remain a critical part of the shared mission to deliver readiness to our nation’s warfighters as efficiently as possible.

Production Controller Edward Tomko said this technology is as needed as ever and Tobyhanna has proven itself to be a trusted partner.

“In the big picture, Tobyhanna is saving lives through their work on this mission, and I’d say a lot of lives,” said Tomko. “Tobyhanna remains a vital part of the process because we have the technology and the expertise here. Our top-notch quality checks ensure that everything is secure and on time.”