Airborne Sensor Operator Makes History
by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Greg Nash May 5,
2020
Enclosed in a dimly lit aircraft soaring over the Pacific Ocean,
a man intensively stares at images of aerial and maritime threats on
his console display. While scanning the screen, he simultaneously
details the most accurate, real-time picture of the battlespace to
mission crew leaders.
Illuminated by the monitor’s glow, U.S.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Propst, 961st Airborne Air Control
Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Japan, sits and embraces the
challenge of being the Air Force’s first E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning
and Control System (AWACS) airborne sensor operator.
February 11, 2020 - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Propst, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry airborne sensor operator
stands in front of an Airborne Warning and Control System
(AWACS) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He is the Air Force’s first E-3 Sentry AWACS enlisted airborne sensor operator. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg Nash)
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Eight years total in the making, the Ponce de Leon, Florida
native is proud to have fulfilled his dream of continuing his
family’s Air Force tradition. Though he’s held many unique jobs in
his lifetime, his newest gig is the most rewarding.
“This
accomplishment is a unique feeling,” said Propst. “Since I first saw
the airborne mission systems job description prior to joining, I was
excited about the mission. Although I have added responsibilities
with the new position, the excitement is still there and I’m glad
enlisted members have this opportunity to greatly improve the Air
Force mission.”
Due to job demands, officer equivalent airborne
sensor operators are more likely to move to a staff duty or ground
assignment, which can hinder a member’s airframe readiness and
proficiency. In contrast, enlisted aren’t put into non-flying
billets as often.
As the enlisted trailblazer for his
aircraft, Propst leads a 4-member surveillance team out of Kadena
AB. Now, he’s enhancing his readiness in the Western Pacific at COPE
North 2020, an annual trilateral field training exercise at Andersen
Air Force Base, Guam.
With US Forces, Japan Air Self-Defense
Force and the Royal Australian Air Force personnel performing one
mission as a multinational task force, Propst looks forward to
providing blue air control and a single integrated air picture to
the blue forces during the 17-day exercise.
“Being able to
fly, brief and debrief with the Japanese and Australian forces in a
large-scale movement like this is special for me,” Propst added.
“This experience can help in my day-to-day job by not only
solidifying and refining our own operational procedures but helping
develop new ones. Having the ability to exchange expertise with our
partners ensures the safety and security in the theater. The same
people we are training with are the people we will depend on in the
worst-case scenario.”
For Propst, seeing the hundreds of
sorties over the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and
the Federated States of Micronesia take place will stand out, but
honing his proficiency and taking them back to home station is the
ultimate goal.
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