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Checkered Flag 22-1 continues this week at full speed. Airman 1st Class Joseph Espinosa, 325th Communications Squadron spectrum manager, and his fellow team members play a role in the support function side of Checkered Flag by monitoring inbound and outbound radio frequencies. This is critical because communications Airmen can test, identify and eliminate frequency issues that could hinder the jet while the pilot is in air.
Espinosa said he didn’t know what he wanted to do in terms of a future career but he watched and learned from his older brothers, both of whom had joined the Department of Defense; one as a U.S. Navy sailor, the other as a U.S. Marine. They recommended he join the U.S. Air Force.
Originally from Orlando, Florida, Espinosa joined the Air Force in November 2017. After graduating Basic Military Training, Espinosa was assigned to his first duty station at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, for three years before moving to Team Tyndall.
“When I first got this job I had no idea what spectrum was or how someone would manage it,” said Espinosa. “Learning more about it and getting to practice has definitely opened my eyes to the responsibility that comes with it.”
Here at Tyndall, Espinosa is trained to use a portable receiver specifically designed to be used down range and in other obscure field locations. This is his first iteration of Checkered Flag.
“It is important to make sure that we’re readily prepared to execute scenarios in real time in regards to frequency usage and spectrum is paramount to Tyndall’s mission,” said Espinosa. “One of the most enjoyable things in this job is searching for frequency interference on base using the [portable receiver].”
The particular model used by the 325th CS can monitor inbound and outbound emissions and detect adverse interference within a wide frequency range.
“I’m most definitely [looking forward to] searching for frequency interference during the exercise,” said Espinosa. “In a constantly advancing military, I think it’s important that we practice and keep up with challenges we might face. Checkered Flag is an integral part of that practice and that we stay on top of future challenges.”
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2021 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 409602 |
| Location: | TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE , FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | ORLANDO, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Airman Espinosa; supporting Checkered Flag, by SSgt Magen M. Reeves, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
