In today’s digitally driven battlespace, the ability to establish and maintain robust, secure communications infrastructure is essential for mission success. Units like the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1137th Signal Company are proving that the National Guard is not only capable of meeting this demand but is helping lead the way in modern military telecommunications.

A New Kind of Signal Unit

Activated in October 2019 and headquartered in Springfield, Ohio, the 1137th Signal Company is one of the Army National Guard’s newest and most specialized telecommunications units. Formally designated as a Tactical Installation and Networking–Enhanced (TIN-E) unit, its mission is focused on installing, modernizing, and maintaining the infrastructure behind the U.S. military’s increasingly complex computer networks.

This includes working with cable, wire, and fiber optic systems—both interior and exterior—to ensure command teams have reliable access to voice, data, and digital communication networks. Structurally, the company includes a headquarters section and two platoons, each composed of cable sections and inside/outside plant teams.

Unlike traditional signal companies that may be primarily tasked with operating radios or switchboards, the 1137th represents a shift toward building permanent and semi-permanent networking infrastructure to support both deployed and domestic operations. This is a vital capability in an era when mission success depends as much on data flow and real-time information sharing as it does on boots on the ground.

Global Reach, Local Expertise

In January 2024, the 1137th deployed roughly 30 soldiers to support U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), providing installation, recovery, repair, and maintenance of telecommunications networks across the theater. It was their first overseas mission—an indication of both their readiness and the Army’s growing reliance on National Guard signal units to meet global demands.

Captain Cory Bissett, the unit’s commander during the deployment, emphasized the unique value these Guardsmen brought to the mission. They combined the technical training of military professionals with the civilian experience many of them bring from careers in telecommunications and information technology.

Signal Units: Not in Every State, but Vital Where They Exist

Despite the growing importance of military communications infrastructure, not every U.S. state maintains a dedicated signal company in its Army National Guard. However, many states do, and those that do not typically have access to these specialized capabilities through regional partnerships or attached units.

Here are some examples of states with active National Guard signal units:

• Delaware: Home to the 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, one of the first National Guard units equipped with modern scalable network sets.
• Nevada: The 422nd Signal Battalion includes the 321st Signal Company and the 440th Signal Company, specializing in both light tropo and cable/wire systems. Tropo is short for troposcatter communication, which is a method of transmitting radio signals over long distances by using the troposphere (the lowest layer of atmosphere) to scatter the signals.
• Florida: The 146th Signal Battalion, historically known as the “Metropolitan Light Infantry,” has evolved into a modern signal force based in Jacksonville.
• Colorado: The 540th Signal Company operates out of Aurora, supporting communications for multiple National Guard missions.
• Georgia: The 420th Network Support Company provides networking and communications support as part of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
• New York: The 42nd Infantry Division includes a dedicated signal company operating out of Staten Island.

These units, while not standardized across every state, represent a flexible and mission-tailored approach to Army communications. Where they exist, they provide critical, often deployable support to civil authorities, state disaster response teams, and U.S. military commands abroad.

Building Infrastructure for the Future

The Army National Guard continues to modernize its signal capabilities. As seen with Ohio’s 1137th Signal Company and Delaware’s 198th ESB, new equipment sets and updated mission scopes are positioning these units as key players in Army communications strategy.

This modernization is not just about keeping pace with technology; it’s about maintaining warfighting capability and national readiness in a world where threats evolve rapidly, and communication must be instantaneous and reliable.

The Value of the Professional Citizen-Soldier

The 1137th Signal Company represents both the future of Guard telecommunications and the enduring value of the Citizen-Soldier. Their technical expertise, adaptability, and mission-first mindset reflect the Guard’s growing role in ensuring that American forces—whether responding to a hurricane at home or executing missions abroad—remain connected and capable.

While not every state operates a dedicated signal company, the presence of these units across the country ensures that the National Guard can deliver advanced networking capabilities wherever they’re needed. The 1137th isn’t just installing fiber—they’re laying the foundation for tomorrow’s military operations.