386th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron helps coalition partners lift off

Airmen from the 386^th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron built a modified base operations center here recently to better enable coalition partners to complete their mission.

For the first time at The Rock, coalition partners have their own separate mission planning room and will soon have a second room which will give them access to their own network, said Capt. Peter O’Neill, 386^th EOSS.

O’Neill said planning for the project began when they were notified coalition partners would be arriving here. He said that in addition to basic living accommodations and use of the flight line, the aircrews would need mission support capabilities.

“That is something we haven’t had in the past,” he said.  “We took it upon ourselves because we knew they would need it.

The squadron identified two rooms they could convert to support the need. The first is now a mission-planning room, while the second, which will provide a way for aircrews to access a combined coalition network to retrieve their mission planning documents, will be done within days, O’Neill said.

In the interim, the 386^th EOSS intelligence and tactics members are printing off the necessary documents and verifying clearance access to support the planning.

“Currently they are relying on us for all their information,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Sylvester, 386^th EOSS. “They come to us with their needs, and we help them get there. “

Once the second room is complete, the aircrews will plan missions independently, Sylvester said. It is extremely important for coalition forces to have this capability.

“Our coalition partners bring a lot to the fight,” said O’Neill. “Without this room and this capability, they would not be able to fly any of the sorties or perform any of the missions they are here for."