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379th AEW Command Post: more than just a giant voice

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bryan Swink
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The voice heard is that of the devoted men and women assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Command Post. Although the giant voice is what many associate the command post with, their vital mission dictates much more.

The Command Post is the nerve center that responds to critical information from a variety of sources throughout the base and the air-tasking mission. In turn, they rapidly distribute the necessary details to the appropriate commanders and agencies so informed decisions can be made.

As the eyes and ears of the commander, the command post is the conduit in charge of keeping organizations connected, coordinating base activities to include first responder actions, weather alerts and aircraft activity while keeping all agencies on the same page 24 hours a day.

"We truly are the eyes and ears of this base because we are the central hub for dissemination of information going in, on or around the installation," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Urquidez, 379th AEW Command Post controller, deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.

"One of our largest missions is to make sure we take care of the 379th portion of the air tasking order through the assigned aircraft here," said Staff Sgt. Dennis Patterson, 379th AEW Command Post controller, deployed from Yakota Air Base, Japan. "We flight follow every aircraft leaving or arriving this installation ... we report any in-flight emergencies to the necessary agencies to keep them up-to-date."

The command post's notifications of an IFE allows emergency agencies adequate time to get in place, respond to the emergency and fix any issues ensuring the aircraft and personnel return to the fight as quickly as possible.

Tracking assigned aircraft is an important part of the job, but the command post also tracks installation-wide activity on the ground through receiving and disseminating information. They provide this information over secure and unsecure networks, desktop notifications, telephone and radio, and the giant voice notification system.

"We know this information is important for people - we figure out the most effective route to disseminate the information and push forward," said Patterson, originally from Charlotte, N.C.

Along with base-wide notifications, command post members ensure proper agencies and organizations are quickly informed so they can conduct a prompt response and mobilization of resources during any emergency management operation.

Multitasking is like breathing to these dedicated Airmen. At times, the command post can feel like they are on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at peak trading times, it can be a chaotic and hectic environment. They must prioritize things at a moment's notice to be able to keep all agencies in the know.

"Winston Churchill once said, 'Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen'," said Capt. Janet Dewese, 379th Command Post officer in charge. "Churchill's quote emulates the men and women of the command post. They have to be prepared for everything and anything at all times, and they do a phenomenal job. Controllers don't have an option of having a bad day."

The command post controllers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to ensure our safety and security. Rest easy!