Convoy 911: Joint unit extends battlespace communication

Published Nov. 30, 2009
By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- As coalition convoys travel the dusty roads of Iraq, C-130 Hercules aircraft circle overhead, listening to ground radio traffic and ready to respond if a friendly convoy makes an emergency transmission.

Keeping those C-130s flying is the mission of the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron joint airborne battle staff detachment. The unit provides immediate and reliable command, control and communication support for operational and strategic ground convoy movements.

"We provide the overhead security and are basically the 9-1-1 for the convoys out there, in case they need help," said Capt. Craig Barrington, JABS detachment commander.

"Communication is the life blood of any operation," he said. "It can make the difference in operational success or failure."

Represented by all four Defense Department service branches, the four- or five-member aircrews simultaneously listen to five radio channels, identifying calls for assistance. When required, the teams transmit voice communications from the convoys-in-need to the appropriate ground stations.

"We are here to provide communication links between convoys and their respective headquarters," said Captain Barrington. "This is accomplished through radio relay, significant event reporting and, if needed, the ability to react to life-threatening situations."
While embodying the "one-team, one-fight" mantra, each military branch contributes differently to the mission -- with the Air Force and Navy filling most of the leadership positions.

"The Air Force typically provides the aircrew experience, communications technicians and officer leadership for the detachment," said Air Force Maj. Brian Neff, former Multinational Corps-Iraq JABS commander. "The Navy provides a wealth of communication experience, as well as the enlisted leadership. The Army and Marines both offer a unique experience, as many have previously deployed as (communications) operators in convoys, and now they are deployed in support of this mission."

Knowing what their counterparts on the ground are going through gives some Soldiers and Marines with the 777th a special dedication to the job.

"I take the job seriously, knowing that I was on the other end before," said Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Gene Gibbs, a communications operator and Charleston, S.C., native. "I believe my experience supplies me with a greater dedication to duty. When we get a phone call from a soldier or any coalition force on the ground, I treat it as if I'm on the ground."

While the crew members relate to their comrades below, they appreciate the value of the JABS mission.

"I know (ground convoys) can be nerve-wracking at times," said Army Sgt. Michael Wisdom, a communications operator deployed from Fort Hood, Texas. "I've been on the road, but never in a situation where I've needed life support. But knowing that this team could provide emergency relief like that at a moment's notice is the highlight of the job."

According to Lt. Col. Sean Bordenave, 777th EAS commander, the constant flow of 13-hour, dusk-till-dawn missions couldn't happen without the successful assimilation o f the difference service branches and their specialties.

"From the perspective of a commander, the thing I've found absolutely unique here is the teamwork," Colonel Bordenave said. "From the maintenance team generating the aircraft and working those last-minute maintenance issues, to the air battle staff and crew getting prepped for and flying some very long missions -- it is absolutely phenomenal."