Command post's hidden mission important to base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Elana Cotton
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Many Airmen may not know what a command post controller contributes to the base mission because he or she is often hidden behind closed doors.

The 506th Air Expeditionary Group command post’s main mission is to provide command and control in the alerting and communication networking for the base. Though that mission is an important aspect to what the command post accomplishes on a daily basis, it fulfills many more roles.

Controllers perform basic flight following, assist in crisis management, and maintain a 24-hour work center coordinating base communications.

“Flight following inbound and outbound aircraft, coordinating or deconflicting mission movements in the area of responsibility and into Kirkuk is one of the main roles of the command post,” said Master Sgt. Gary Kaczmarek, 506th AEG command post superintendent.

Flight following is the tracking of all inbound and outbound aircraft and the coordination of ground support.

When an aircraft is inbound, controllers will first contact the aircraft commander to obtain information such as required fuel load, estimated arrival time and other information needed by base agencies. Controllers then relay this information to various base agencies including base operations, fuels management and safety. The command post maintains constant contact with the aircraft commander to coordinate emergency response, if necessary, and keep base organizations updated on aircraft arrival time and needs.

“Aircraft only have an allotted amount of time on the ground when they land,” said Airman 1st Class Theresa Carter, a command post controller here. “The command post ensures enough coordination has occurred prior to landing so base agencies are prepared to ensure they take off in the allotted time.”

Though flight following is one of their day-to-day duties, one of their most important duties is crisis communication.

From force protection condition changes to minor accidents, it is the command post’s responsibility to maintain the highest level of crisis management and situational awareness. The command post gathers accurate information and distributes it to agencies for emergency response.

It is essential that the information the command post gathers is passed up the chain of command. Depending on the situation, information is also passed to the base populace.

“During (and after possible attacks), command post personnel help me communicate with all agencies on base to help provide a picture of what is going on so we can direct personnel accordingly,” said Lt. Col. Peter Gardzina, 506th AEG vice commander.

To do this, controllers must maintain direct communications with base leaders and all base agencies. Information is disseminated with the emergency notification system known as “giant voice.” Giant voice directs emergency procedures throughout the base.

“The command post motto is (to) ‘alert, direct and report,’” Sergeant Kaczmarek said. “This statement pretty much sums up what the command post operations consists of in just a few words. It takes major multitasking skills to accomplish all of the many tasks in a minimal amount of time.”

To do this, command post controllers require a great deal of professionalism.

“By working with the command post personnel on a daily basis, I am amazed at the level of responsibility and amount of interaction they have not only with local personnel, but inbound aircraft and senior personnel from other bases,” Colonel Gardzina said.

Airman Carter said that patience helps accomplish the command post mission.

“It takes lots of patience to do our job; we make lots of phone calls … but those phone calls are the ones that will save (or take) someone’s life. It is important for us to be alert and vigilant 24-seven,” she said.