Airmen Provide Critical Air Battle Management
(September 3, 2010) |
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| | SOUTHWEST ASIA (8/30/2010 - AFNS) -- A team of 140 U.S. and
coalition force Airmen make up the 71st Expeditionary Air
Control Squadron here, providing command and control over
the sky in Afghanistan and air defense of the Arabian Gulf. |
The 71st EACS, better known as "Pyramid Control," operates
the 24-hour a day Battlespace Command and Control Center,
acting as the senior tactical battle management command and
control element for Afghanistan. BC3 provides operators
real-time information from data link, sensors and radio
systems around the area of responsibility, giving the team
situational awareness of the entire region.
"Through radio and radar, this precision team orchestrates
airpower to meet the needs of the supported commander in the
field," said Brig. Gen. Randy Kee, the 379th Air
Expeditionary Wing commander, in his recent blog post.
"(Pyramid) is a crucial member of our 'Grand Slam' team in
helping us to collectively |
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Capt. Owen Hein directs both support and combat aircraft into target areas July 13, 2009, in Southwest Asia. The 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron provides around-the-clock air defense and air battlespace management of the area of responsibility. Captain Hein is a 71st EACS air weapons officer. U.S. Air Force Photo
by Staff Sgt. Robert Barney |
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achieve the direction of our commander ... and
to meet the needs of our fighters in the field
according to their requirements and measures of
effectiveness." |
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Pyramid provides the Combined Air and Space Operations
Center with a real-time view of the air picture, handing
commanders valuable information on the ground. The squadron
members also support the fighters in the field by
coordinating combat air support for troops in contact and
airspace deconfliction for forces in Afghanistan.
Members said they feel like they're playing a large part in
supporting boots on the ground as well as the aircraft they
control.
"It's awesome to be part of this mission," said 1st Lt.
Shannon Greene, a 71st EACS air weapons officer. "It gives
you good experience working at a (control and reporting
center) in the deployed environment."
In addition to providing command and control in Afghanistan,
71st EACS Airmen simultaneously provide long-range radar
surveillance a of more than 350,000 square nautical mile
area in the Arabian Gulf, typically tracking more than 1,000
aircraft a day. The unit works closely with the senior air
defense officer at the CAOC and the Army's Air Defense
Artillery fire control officer with the Patriot missile
units to provide persistent air defense of the Arabian Gulf.
"It's our job to watch the (sky) and to coordinate with host
nations, coalition partners and service partners to provide
consistent and reliable air battle management," said Maj.
Jason Brown, the 71st EACS night site commander.
"We also move information, gas and assets in order to meet
the (Combined Forces Air Component commander) and supported
commander's objectives," Major Brown said.
The 71st EACS (Airmen) provide critical battle management in
a very busy airspace, said Lt. Col. Darren Ewing, the 71st
EACS commander.
"The dedicated sentinels of the 71st EACS provide 24-hour
per day watch over the Arabian Gulf region as well as vital
tactical command and control to aircraft supporting ground
operations in Operation Enduring Freedom," the colonel said.
"It's a challenging mission in a very busy airspace and one
of which I am very proud to be a part. Commanding a blended
unit of active duty, Air National Guard, U.S. Army and
coalition partners from the Royal Air Force and Royal
Australia Air Force is a great honor. This is a fantastic
team, doing incredible work every day."
Maintenance personnel play a major role in the 71st EACS's
mission maintaining the $30 million facility and equipment.
At the center of that maintenance is the maintenance
operations center. The MOC is the clearing house for all
maintenance on and off location, from the radars in theatre
to the air conditioning units on site.
"We basically control all maintenance actions and coordinate
with outside agencies to ensure the mission equipment is
available for operation," said Master Sgt. Cate Mulder, the
71st EACS MOC coordinator.
Radar maintenance Airmen work around the clock to provide
operators a pristine radar picture.
"(I) was very impressed by this team of Air National
guardsmen who have been doing this kind of work at deployed
locations across the AOR, as well as years ago in South
America," General Kee said. "These folks know their system
and have been ready-to-go volunteers for many years. What a
privilege it is to serve with these kinds of spirited,
can-do Airmen." | |
By USAF Capt. Jon Quinlan
71st Expeditionary Air
Control Squadron
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Air Force News Service
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