Coalition command post: coordination keeps aircraft, info flowing

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shane Balken
  • 401st Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) --  Flexibility is the key to airpower, but a lot of coordination and some planning are the keys to a successful integration of coalition partners in wartime. Such is the case for the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing command post, temporarily located at a Royal Air Force base in the eastern Mediterranean.

Six U.S. Air Force airmen from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and RAF Mildenhall, England, are working side-by-side with their RAF counterparts supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom while at the same time forming and strengthening allied friendships.

"A lot of our terminology is slightly different, but we adjusted quickly and have been working extremely well together," said Senior Master Sgt. Kirby Forehand from Grand Forks AFB. He is the chief of the 401st AEW command post.

The airmen deployed to help the RAF command post with the huge influx of U.S. aircraft. The 401st has the largest number of KC-135 Stratotankers in the theater. In addition, E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, E-8 Joint STARS and Navy C-2 aircraft are operating here.

The command post is the base focal point for any emergencies or flight communication.

"Finding ramp space to park the aircraft has been a big challenge," said Staff Sgt. Chad Parker, a 401st command post controller. "A big part of our jobs has been working with the British and helping them out with U.S. aircraft. They are the experts on their aircraft and the same is true with us. It's ironic that I had to come from RAF Mildenhall to work side-by-side with the British, but it's been a great deployment and I've definitely learned a lot."

RAF Wing Commander Stephen Green, commander of the RAF wing and deputy station commander, said this is the busiest the base has been since the 1970s.

"The tempo here began to ramp up right after the New Year," Green said. "Prior to the U.S. aircraft arrival, we used to see about 30 movements (a take off or landing) per day. We now handle more than 200 per day."

Green directly oversees 220 RAF and locally employed people and is responsible for all operations dealing with the flight line. Air traffic controllers, fire fighters, air operations and the station guard force all fall under his command. Except for the air traffic control tower, U.S. military personnel are augmenting all of his offices.

"Bringing this large an operation here has been challenging," said Green. "But it brings out the best of coalition working partners and good working relations. I couldn't be more pleased with the working relations -- all of the integration has been superb."

RAF Squadron Leader Jerry Mason, commander of the air operations flight, works with the U.S. airmen in the command post and is their liaison for any issues that come up. Mason agreed that both countries have different ways of doing things, but have overcome any differences.

"It's been an eye opener to see how another air force does the job," Mason said. "I think we have all benefited from the experience. To use a common phrase these days, the U.S. has been 'embedded' with us and I think it's pulled us closer together."

The experience has also been a memorable one for new airman stationed in both the U.S. and England.

"This is only my second deployment and I've really enjoyed it," said Senior Airman Travis Clark, a 401st command post controller deployed from RAF Mildenhall. "The British have been great to work with, and I've learned quite a bit about my job as well. Most of my time is spent tracking aircraft and I've gained a lot of experience in this environment."

RAF Senior Aircraftwoman Andrea Tait, a flight operations assistant, has been in the RAF for three and a half years and has never worked with the U.S. military before.

"It's been very busy since the U.S. troops arrived," Tait said. "I talk with Americans all the time now when their aircraft come in and I really enjoy it. It's important that a constant flow of information is there to keep everyone informed."

Coordinating, planning and informing. Three words controllers from the RAF and 401st AEW command post know all too well. As long as aircraft are flying, flexibility is still the key to airpower. (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)