''It doesn't change the mission of the Signal Corps, and it doesn't change the way we do our business,'' Maj. Gen. John P. Cavanaugh said.

Maj. Gen. Cavanaugh spoke to the Exchange Club of South Augusta at T's Restaurant on Georgia Highway 56.

''The Signal Corps is critical to the success of the U.S. Army,'' Maj. Gen. Cavanaugh said. ''It is absolutely cut out for whatever missions come to the Army in the future.''

The Signal Corps is the backbone of the Army's increasingly high-tech communications and information networks.

On Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Cavanaugh repeated warnings from U.S. leaders that a war on terrorism will be lengthy and difficult.

''It will not be over in a week,'' he said. ''It will not be over in a month. It may be years, and there will be setbacks.

''It's going to test our patience as a nation.''

Maj. Gen. Cavanaugh said U.S. citizens can help win the war simply by following George Washington's advice to ''be Americans.''

''What each one of us can do is do our jobs, to not run and hide,'' Maj. Gen. Cavanaugh said. ''If we run and hide, then they win, and we are not going to let them win.

''Do not doubt for a minute that we are going to win.''

After the speech, the general said Fort Gordon's soldiers were ready for the task ahead.

''There isn't gloom and doom out there,'' Maj. Gen. Cavanaugh said. ''They are confident, and they are ready.''

Reach Brandon Haddock at (706) 823-3409 or bhaddock@augustachronicle.com.