Coalition forces come together in operations center

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Debbie Aragon
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Despite cultural and language differences between Korean, Dutch, Italian and American forces, controllers in the Combined Defense Operations Center here are one force guarding against a common enemy.

The center brings together security forces from the nations based here to gather information and determine the best response to events threatening the safety and security of people and resources, said Tech. Sgt. Keith Cross, the CDOC day-shift supervisor.

“Tallil is a major stopping point for vehicle and aircraft refueling,” Sergeant Cross said. “We basically provide security for the people and resources transitioning north, south or wherever.”

The center, established about four months ago, is the first of its kind in Iraq, Sergeant Cross said.

With the number of coalition forces here, it makes sense to integrate them in one location for security, said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Marc Berkyheiser, a CDOC controller. “When you have one game plan, it’s easier to channel everything more effectively.”

“The rocket attack here on May 20 is a prime example,” Sergeant Cross said. “Our American and coalition forces worked together to go out and try to pinpoint the area where the launch came from.”

Sergeant Berkyheiser, who has been at Tallil since February and had never worked in a joint environment before, said it has been a really good experience.

“I’m very impressed, especially with the Air Force guys [and] the way they handle their jobs,” he said. “The Italians too. They really know their jobs and are very professional.”

“We know we’re here for a reason; it’s the same with the coalition security forces,” Sergeant Cross said. “They know they’ve got a job to do, and that’s to keep everybody here safe.”

As he nears the end of his deployment, Sergeant Cross said many thoughts are running through his mind.

“I think the major thing, though, is how we can bring so many different bases, different attitudes and different backgrounds … and have them come together and make things work,” he said. “It may take some people longer than others to get together but I don’t think it takes the cops long to start clicking … no matter what their nationality.”

CDOC controller and coalition security forces members are “pretty proud of what we do and if (the enemy brings) the fight to us, we’ll take it back to them,” Sergeant Cross said.