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Coordination cell staff briefs servicemembers on host nation issues

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Spencer Gallien
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Servicemembers arriving to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing can lean on the host nation coordination cell staff here to provide assistance and help them understand an unfamiliar culture.

The host nation coordination cell staff her works with host-nation customs and immigrations officers to ensure aircraft have diplomatic clearances and submits and coordinates host-nation approval requests for all American members traveling through this area.

HNCC members provide Arabic translation services and cultural advice as well as passport, visa and residency coordination.

They work with local law enforcement agencies when U.S. forces need assistance with vehicle registration, traffic accidents and other issues. Furthermore, the HNCC staff is a liaison with the Office of Military Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Army Central Forces Area Support Group.

"We are the primary coordinating agency with the host-nation's general headquarters," said Lt. Col. Steven Dutschmann, the 379th AEW HNCC deputy director. "All requests, and any issues that we need approval for, go through us and we, in turn, provide those requests to the host-nation coordinator."

From the construction of new facilities and requests for radio frequencies, to the transportation of people, equipment and Army and Air Force Exchange Services product shipment, each and every request must be routed through the HNCC.

In order to efficiently complete their mission, the HNCC staff must build relationships with host-nation representatives.

"In Arabic culture, relationships are everything," Colonel Dutschmann said. "To really get things done, you need to get to know the people you're dealing with, build trust and understand their traditions, culture and procedures.

"Many host-nation officers are educated in the west and speak English fluently," he added. "In the Air Force, there are very few members who speak Arabic, or understand Middle-Eastern culture. We're here to help build those relationships that create a firm foundation of understanding and trust."

One service the HNCC staff recently provided was acting as a liaison between the host nation and the U.S. military during a week long series of invitations for servicemembers to attend a day of rest and relaxation at a private beach house.

"It was an incredibly nice gesture," said Capt. David Williams, the HNCC current operations officer. "The invitations are an extension of the friendship we share. Ultimately, we're all here working long hours with high stress. It's an opportunity to get off base and decompress."

The need for the HNCC is compounded by the nature of the military presence in Southwest Asia.

"We consume a lot of resources and need a lot of support to maintain missions," Colonel Dutschmann said. "The HNCC is here to ensure those resources and support are here when we need them."