An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

379th ECS Viper Team provides airborne communication

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Hannah Landeros
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  Military leaders and other high level government officials need the ability to communicate everywhere they go at any time, including while they are in the air.

The 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron's Viper Team provides airborne communication, for air to ground communication, throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility. If a general needs to make a critical decision while in flight, he can make that call on the airborne communication system known as the Viper communications system.

The Viper Team provides capabilities for unclassified and classified information, secure voice transmission and high-speed internet access aboard C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III, ensuring lenders maintain situational awareness and stay in constant contact with the battlefield.

"It's exciting receiving a task. We meet so many people and provide our capabilities to keep the mission going," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Fossett a 379th ECS Viper Team airborne communications specialist deployed from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and a Milford, Conn., native.

The 379th ECS Viper Team is on call 24/7 and has a total of six Airmen who make up two teams of three at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

The Viper Team is tasked by Air Mobility Division and arrives three days before senior leaders or distinguished visitors to prepare for a flight, which can last anywhere from three to ten hours one way.

"We check to make sure all equipment is operational and bring a couple of back up laptops just in case any of our guests need them," Fossett said. "Arriving three days prior to departure gives us plenty of time to fix or replace any equipment that may not be working properly. It's our job to make sure they can stay in contact with people throughout the flight."

Setting up all equipment for unclassified, classified information, secure voice capabilities and function tests takes nearly two hours.

Airmen assigned to the Viper Team stay aboard the aircraft during a distinguished visitor's flight to ensure all equipment is operational while airborne.

"The best part of my day is establishing our services and providing them to the customer," said Master Sgt. Brian Little, 379th ECS Viper Team airborne communications NCO in charge, deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and a Roberta, Ga., native. "It's very gratifying to see these high level officials performing their job while utilizing equipment that we maintain, set-up, and operate."

Each mission forward deploys the Viper Team for nearly seven days before returning back to AUAB.

Airmen assigned to the Viper Team are hand selected from various communications fields to serve a one year tour on a special duty assignment. Upon completion of six weeks of pre-deployment training, Airmen of the 379th ECS Viper Team are considered primary aircrew members during their deployment.

"We are constantly traveling throughout the AOR," said Fossett, "I love to travel so it makes my job more enjoyable."