To the untrained eye it seems to be a room full of computers.

However, to Airmen of the 608th Combat Operations Squadron the combined air and space operations center here is a lethal weapon system.

“It’s the total package, we find the target, fix the position, track it, engage the target and assess the results,” said Maj. Jim Lange, assistant director of operations.

When it comes to weapons selection, squadron Airmen have all the airframes in the Air Force, Navy, Army and Marine Corps inventory at their disposal. Allied and coalition partners also are usual participants in a strike.

Combined operations are an over-arching theme at the center, called the CAOC. In order to be an effective war fighting unit, the squadron has assigned officers from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Royal Air Force. During real-world operations these officers represent their units and assist in scheduling and executing strikes.

The diverse backgrounds extend into the Airmen at the CAOC. Pilots and navigators, from all airframes and from all specialties, supervise operations. Communication specialists keep the center running and troubleshoot any technical issues. Judge advocates determine the legality of targets and public affairs troops inform the media and draft news releases.

The squadron had its mission greatly expanded over the past two years. It now oversees the space and global strike mission, working with Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

In 11 years, squadron Airmen have used their warfighting expertise in more than 10 contingency deployments operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

“We make sure things happen according to the Air Tasking Order,” said Staff Sgt. Oliver Alcaraz, an offensive duty technician. “The 608th’s main mission is to execute the air tasking order (ATO), which is a document that outlines which units will attack at specified times using specified weapons.

“The ATO is the road map for an air war, but it isn’t an easy read,” the sergeant said. “An average tasking order can be hundreds of pages long. Comprehending it requires in-depth technical skills and a wide breadth of knowledge.”

Like all plans, tasking orders go through many changes before and during employment.

“No plan survives the first engagement” Major Lange said. “The 608th fixes the ATO when real world demands derail the plan. They can correct shortfalls to rearrange orders so the mission can continue.”

Working at the squadron allows Airmen to quickly see the results of their work.

“We would watch our video feeds during the engagement and two days later we would be watching our footage on the news,” Sergeant Alcaraz said.

Advances in technology also bring the Airmen closer to the ground units that rely on the Air Force.

“Talking to forces on the ground, you feel like you are there in the targeting pod. We are never more than 12 seconds away,” Major Lange said.

The squadron has increased the flexibility of weapon platforms and has created an efficient fighting force. For example, it is now possible for a bomber to receive totally new target information -- in a matter of minutes -- while in flight.

In the past, sending new target information to inbound aircraft was complicated and consumed precious time. This rapid attack coordinated by squadron members gives the enemy no reprieve from attack.

Global attack and information superiority are more than just core competencies to squadron Airmen. They are the elements the unit brings to the fight that allows warfighters in other branches to live under the protection of air supremacy.