Photo By Areca Wilson | U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew Isler, U.S. Air Forces Central Command assistant...... read more read more
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Ten civic leaders from the local area visited the 609th Air Operations Center Detachment 1, here, Jan. 25 to learn more about its mission.
“In general, the AOC provides operational level command and control to accomplish the objectives of the joint force commander,” said Lt. Col. Amy Husmann, 609th AOC Det. 1 director of operations. “Specifically, the 609th AOC, located at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, provides command and control over air operations across U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. Det. 1, located at Shaw AFB, is a part of the 609th AOC. At Det. 1, we conduct distributed operations with the 609th AOC, train AFCENT AOC warriors, and provide reach-back support to our forward AOC warriors.”
During the visit, the civic leaders learned about the 609th AOC’s five divisions: Strategy, Combat Plans, Intelligence, Mobility and Combat Operations.
“The Combat Operations Division's mission in its simplest form is to execute the daily Air Tasking Order -- what's flying, where and when, and what mission it is executing. However, operations are dynamic. The enemy always gets a vote,” Husmann said. “The COD's flexibility during execution of the planned ATO renders the enemy's vote inconsequential. Our mission is very important and very demanding. Operations continue 24/7 and have significant consequences.”
AFCENT continues to provide airpower at the right time and place across the CENTCOM AOR from multiple locations. Airmen assigned to Det. 1’s COD role-played a scenario to immerse the civic leaders into the complexity of combat operations, which is provided across the CENTCOM AOR from multiple locations, from the air component’s perspective.
“It was absolutely incredible and awesome. I've heard a lot about the types of situations out here, but to get to see it firsthand was just awesome,” said Donny Hines, Sumter Chamber of Commerce chairman. “It really makes you appreciate what all the fine men and women do out here who are in control and command of what is going on. It's pretty impressive and I wish everybody in Sumter could see what happens out here. It would certainly give them a different perspective of what you all do.”
Due to the nature of Det. 1’s work, Husmann said community support is essential. She emphasized the need for Airmen to receive support from the community to help ensure their personal needs are met. With those needs covered, the Airmen can stay focused on a challenging mission. This can only be done if the community understands how they can support the complex mission the Airmen are called to execute on a day-to-day basis.
“Det 1’s Airmen are entrusted with an immense responsibility. They make decisions and take action that affects the lives of our nation's warfighters 24/7, 365 days a year -- this is a no-fail mission,” she continued. “The resiliency gained with community support from social and community programs help sustain our Airmen. That type of support is best delivered with an understanding of the mission and its demands.”
The Air Force regularly holds air shows and open houses to showcase military equipment and Airmen performing the mission. However, access to the AOC is limited.
“The AOC is a different type of weapons system; it's time to show our community partners what we bring to the fight,” Husmann said.
Hines hopes Shaw continues to invite Sumter community members to witness the base’s diverse mission.
“Sumter has a deep respect for Shaw AFB as a community and for the quality of what you all bring to our community as people; you can't touch it,” he added. “Being here helps us communicate to the folks out in the public what you all do here and help those relations and keep that encouragement going.”
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2019 05:10 |
| Story ID: | 312004 |
| Location: | SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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