Nerve center: Command post keeps mission going, critical info flowing Published April 30, 2013 By Senior Airman Andrew McLaughlin 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Behind locked doors and security cameras lies a nerve center staffed with highly-qualified Airmen who keep the mission going and vital information flowing 24/7. And while Grissom command post controllers keep tabs on all that happens on base, many may not know exactly what goes on inside their highly-secure and windowless world. "The purpose of the command post is to relay orders of our commander to his forces in the field, collect information from the field, and present it to the commander so he can make timely and accurate decisions," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Withrow, 434th Air Refueling Wing command post superintendent, as he shed some light on organization. "We are the eyes and ears of the commander," echoed Senior Airman Jessica Weatherman, 434th ARW command and control technician. "We have to know what's happening on the base and also at higher levels in relation to national security." To fulfill their vital mission, Withrow said he and his controllers must all be proficient in four core functions, which include tracking aircraft, reporting critical incidents, emergency notification and message processing. "A fully-qualified controller will be able to perform all of these functions," he said. "If we fail to act properly, it can have a wide-reaching impact across the base." As part of their daily lives, controllers receive highly-sensitive, and at times top-secret, emergency action messages from higher headquarters, which must then be decoded, explained Senior Airman Shauna Allen, 434th ARW command and control technician. "It's like our own secret language," added Weatherman. To receive some of the most critical information, controllers use a myriad of high-tech equipment, including an electromagnetic pulse and jam-resistant portable satellite communications terminal that connects with the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay satellite system, she continued. These systems provide secure, worldwide communications that allow command and control functions to continue in the event of a major disaster that could hinder communications. Another critical portion of their job involves Grissom's alert mission. A certain number of aircraft at Grissom are always on alert, and Allen said the command post must notify alert crews and other essential personnel needed to respond to emergency situations. Command post controllers also facilitate communication between pilots and those on the ground, which can prove critical during in-flight emergencies. Coordinating with the wing commander, operations group commander, maintenance personnel, emergency responders and more, controllers make sure everyone is ready to assist during an IFE, said Weatherman. They even contact the aircraft manufacturer in the most serious of emergencies, she added. With the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, and several special missions, the Grissom command post is a busy place. Tech. Sgt. Matthew Huston, 434th ARW command and control technician, has worked in the career field for 10 years at various units and said how each command post operates depends on the mission they support. Of all his experiences, Huston added his current posting at Grissom has been the biggest challenge. "Grissom is the most challenging because we serve three commands; Air Force Reserve Command, Air Mobility Command and (U.S.) Strategic Command," he explained. "There's a lot of responsibility that comes with this job." However, Huston said he enjoys working in this fast-paced environment that is constantly changing. "It's never the same thing," he said. "There's always something new that pops up." And, because Airmen who work in the command post are entrusted with a high level of responsibility, they undergo in-depth and continual training. Command post controllers attend a six-week technical training school at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., followed by two, 6-month on-the-job training periods to attain full certification, said Withrow. At the end of each period, the 434th ARW commander personally certifies every controller in their job. While it may take a lot to be a controller, the career field has many benefits as well. "You get to know everything that is happening on the base," said Withrow. "It's also a high-visibility career field because controllers are talking to wing leadership regularly." For Airmen unsure of where they may end up in the future, being a controller may be appealing as all bases have a command post, he added. There are opportunities to deploy for the same reason. "It opens up a lot of doors for you because you interface with different commands and because of the skills you learn," added Huston. Weatherman said being a controller gives her a detailed perspective of what the military does on a larger scale. "I have a better understanding of the mission as a whole and the of the national defense structure," she elaborated. Withrow said the command post usually attracts Airmen who are academically minded. Due to the high standards, controllers undergo monthly testing to assure they maintain proficiency and stay sharp as they carry out their duties. "It's a very academically-intensive career field," he continued. Likewise, Huston described the job as mentally challenging. Controllers also need to be good communicators because many of their duties are conducted over a phone, radio, computer or satellite systems, said Withrow. Being able to work and keep cool under pressure is another important trait, he added. "You need to prioritize and use time management skills," said Allen. "You have to be able to multitask like you breathe." Persistent training is another way controllers stay prepared for anything. "We participate in exercises almost every month and make them as intense and realistic as possible," said Withrow. "You'll never get bored. There's always something going on and there's always something to do." The command post is currently looking for three, highly-qualified senior airmen or staff sergeants to fill available slots. The opportunity for full-time positions and tours of duty may become available down the road. Anyone interested in a challenging and rewarding career as a command post controller should contact Withrow at 688-2124 or via e-mail. Stay connected with Grissom on Facebook and Twitter.
