Wing command post gathers, disseminates critical information

Photo By Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm | Staff Sgt. Irma Allen, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Command Post controller, reviews the flight schedule, Dec. 7. The duties of the wing CP controllers include information collection and dissemination, mission management, and emergency response.  

BALAD, IRAQ

12.15.2009

Courtesy Story

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- A select handful of Airmen work with a heavy responsibility on their shoulders: They are responsible for the command and control of the biggest U.S. military installation in Iraq. The Airmen of the JBB command post also have the unique distinction of operating as the only wing command post in the country.

"As the sole wing command post, we are the primary command-and-control node for the country of Iraq," said Master Sgt. Christopher Mathis, 332nd AEW/CP superintendent. "As such, we take on the duty of functioning as the main support hub for the entire country."

Commonly known as the commander's eyes and ears, the duties of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Command Post include information collection and dissemination, mission management, and emergency response -- all supporting a base populace of 25,000-plus.

The command post manages all coordination between different command-and-control nodes. They track every aircraft from the time it takes off to when it lands. The CP controller must be aware of the aircraft's progress during the flight, including any delays. If anything changes, the controller is responsible for coordinating with other affected airfields to minimize scheduling problems.

Although the subordinate command posts in Iraq maintain the day-to-day command and control of their respective base, they also depend heavily on the hub.

When a crisis situation occurs, the wing command post takes on the task of becoming an information relay point from the group command posts to higher headquarters. To ensure leadership remains informed of any crisis, 332nd AEW Airmen funnel the details up the chain to Headquarters Air Force and the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon.

In turn, the wing command post ensures that the subordinates are aware of any directives from higher headquarters that may affect their operations.

The funnel effect of information dissemination between the group and JBB's command post has proved to be a valuable tool.

"Although each of the group command posts could operate independently without the wing command post, they would be operating in a vacuum in regard to the operations elsewhere in Iraq," said Master Sgt. Leo Rondeau, Kirkuk Regional Air Base Command Post superintendent. "With the different group command posts working through the wing command post, the information coming from one command post can be shared with the other command posts to ensure lessons learned, trends, and other relevant information is available to all."

• Date Taken: 12.15.2009
• Date Posted: 12.15.2009 06:05
• Story ID: 42767
• Location: BALAD, IQ