Out of sight, out of mind means mission success for Rivet Joint

Published July 12, 2010
By Capts. Patrick Cordova and Carla Gleason
379th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Lives are at stake every day in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. That fact hits close to home at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, where units conduct operations around the clock, seven days a week in order to support troops on the ground in the Central Command area of responsibility. Some missions are visible -- B-1s screaming through the night, C-17s climbing across the desert and back again, medical units caring for the sick and wounded, and civil engineers constructing buildings and runways in record time.

But some missions aren't as visible, and that's why they succeed. In the case of the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, out of sight and out of mind often means mission accomplished.

"Every mission, I think of the people we'll be supporting, the patriots who leave their friends and families to answer their nation's call," said Staff Sgt. Cody Niemi, airborne mission supervisor. "Those are the people we serve. Every time we fly, our job is to provide intelligence that helps them do their jobs or watch over them to keep them safe. We've had many missions where we warned of improvised explosive devices or ambushes and kept troops from running headlong into it. We act as their silent guardian; a watchful protector."

The 763rd ERS flies the RC-135 V/W Rivet Joint, a signal intelligence platform that collects, analyzes, reports and exploits enemy transmissions. The mission crew can then forward real-time theater information to awaiting aircraft or to the ground commander.

"It is amazing to see the impact we have on the daily combat operations in this AOR," said Capt. Andrew Colson, tactical coordinator. "Every crewmember, from nose to tail, is dedicated to accomplishing the mission toward providing a stable government in Afghanistan and ensuring our enemies there can no longer threaten our country."

Last week, the 763rd ERS marked a milestone -- 8,000 sorties in the War on Terror.

"Our platform defines low density, high demand in many ways," said Lt. Col. Richard Rosa, 763rd ERS commander. "It's not only about the iron on the ramp ... it's about the highly-trained military professionals ... the people who make this mission happen. They are really the low density, high demand asset."

The crew, consisting of cockpit members, electronic warfare officers, intelligence operators, cryptological specialists and airborne systems maintenance personnel, were in high spirits June 25 when the flight marking the 8,000 sortie benchmark touched down.

"At the beginning of each flight, I make a personal commitment to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission," said Capt. John Isacco, aircraft commander. "Without saying anything aloud, it's obvious everyone in this squadron has made that same commitment 8,000 times. It's great to be part of an organization that puts individual interests aside for a greater purpose."

With the entire RJ fleet hovering at around 17 air frames, 12 of which are available at any one time for missions, 8,000 sorties equals a substantial milestone in the history of the 763rd ERS -- one in which Capt. Matthew Roberts, 763rd ERS integration officer, is honored to be a part.

"We have been saving the lives of our brothers and sisters in harms way for 8,000 missions now and will continue for as long as it takes," he said. "Every mission is an incredible team effort and I can't think of a more rewarding job in the Air Force."

The squadron will reach another historical milestone in August, marking 20 years in the AOR here.

"It was an honor to be part of the Rivet Joint's 8,000th mission, but the credit really belongs to the 7,999 crews that came before," said Sergeant Niemi. "Thousands of men and women over the last 20 years have made this a valued and much-requested platform. The faces change but the mission never stops."