Compass Call continues to “Jam”

Published Nov. 1, 2006
By Capt Vince King Jr.
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Two years in the making and the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron has reached 5,000 combat hours in the skies over Afghanistan.

Since 2004, the squadron has been deployed in support of the Global War on Terror and has flown more than 940 sorties in support of ground troops here.

According to Tech. Sgt. Brandon Bennett, 41st EECS flight engineer, this milestone reflects the longest deployment in the squadron's history.

"It [also] reflects the sustained commitment to bring the terrorists to justice," said Capt. Clay Small, EC-130H weapons officer, expanding on the sergeant's statement.

The EC-130H Compass Call, a modified version of the C-130, provides electronic warfare protection to ground troops. The aircraft and its crew respectively employ offensive counter-information and electronic attack capabilities in support of U.S. and Coalition tactical air, surface, and special operations forces.

Essentially, the aircraft provides an electronic shield around ground forces. The system prevents the enemy from using many of their technological assets, which could potentially cause harm to ground forces.

Not only is the mission being accomplished by the aircrew daily, but the maintainers are an important part of the mission as well.

"On numerous occasions, [the maintainers] have changed propellers, engines, made major repairs and we still fly night after night," said Sergeant Bennett. The 41st EECS maintainers have sustained over 95% mission capable rate, almost 20% over the home station standard.

"We've flown these hours with only one known mishap and that was over a year ago," said Capt Matt Mihalick, 41st EECS pilot. "Given the pace of operations, that's a tremendous feat."

"What is important is that the planes are ready to fly, ready to jam, every night," said Lieutenant Colonel Worley, 41 EECS commander.

According to Master Sgt. Douglas Pike, maintenance production superintendent, the fight here means a lot to the Airmen and troops assigned to the 41st.

"Being deployed here makes the mission realistic," he said. "Here we see the operations we are directly supporting first hand and know the immediate impact we have."

Each sortie the crew flies and every safe return is a mission accomplished for everyone, he said.

"The 41st EECS is a very lean operation," said Colonel Worley. "What brings success is the tremendous teamwork between operations and maintenance, and every member understanding the importance of our mission--protecting our troops on the ground."