Photo By Senior Airman Colin Simpson | U.S. Airmen assigned to the 126th Intelligence Squadron support and train Airmen and...... read more read more
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From the heart of Ohio to the rugged Alaskan terrain, a unique exercise known as Polar Surge is uniting airmen, guardians, and coalition forces in a pursuit for unparalleled space intelligence support to operations. Polar Surge, is an active and ongoing partnership between the 213th Space Warning Squadron at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska and the 126th Intelligence Squadron located at the 178th Wing, in Springfield, Ohio. Additional airmen from the 178th Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Group helped support the partnership.
Clear Space Force Station was initially built as a ballistic missile early warning site in 1958 during the Cold War Era. Over the decades, the station has evolved both with its technological advances and defense strategies. Today, with the help of two nearly five-story-tall radars, the station’s primary mission is to provide early warning of intercontinental ballistic missile and submarine-launched ballistic missile launches to the Missile Warning Center at North American Aerospace Defense Command. The secondary mission of the radar station is to provide space surveillance data on orbiting objects to the NORAD Space Control Center, which is where support from the 126th IS comes in.
“We do not have a guard intelligence capability assigned here at the 213th,” said Lt. Col. Jody Schweickart, commander of the 213th. “So, when we participated in VULCAN GUARD, hosted by the 126th in Ohio, relationships were built and we capitalized on the expertise presented by the 126th, enabling us to enhance the small active duty intelligence component at Clear.”
“Our squadron has over 13 years of expertise providing space analysis to the warfighter,” said Lt. Col. Britney Hensley, commander of the 126th IS. “Our analysts offer the 213th operators with space domain solutions amidst an ever-changing contested mission landscape.”
Vulcan Guard is a is a series of space-focused exercises that integrates Air National Guard operations and intelligence personnel with U.S. military partners through the State Partnership Program, incorporating several diverse space weapons systems in realistic threat-based scenarios. In 2023, the 178th Wing hosted an iteration of Vulcan Guard, bringing together seven ANG states, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Space Force and the Brazilian military. Ohio hosted Guardsmen from New York, Florida, Colorado, California, Alaska, and Hawaii. The concept of Polar Surge was born thanks to relationships established between the 213th and 126th during Vulcan Guard.
Surrounded by farmland, the 178th Wing is home for the 126th IS, one of four intelligence squadrons in the 178th ISRG. The Wing’s mission is to provide ready units to conduct ISR and operational support to execute state and federal missions. The 178th ISRG provides the unique capability under one command structure to support full-spectrum intelligence capabilities across four functional areas: cyber, geospatial, space, and signals. Since the summer of 2023 more than 30 airmen from the Wing have taken the 3,054-mile journey across the U.S. and Canada to contribute critical intelligence support while broadening their operational experience and network.
“We are here to provide intelligence support to the operators,” said Staff Sgt. Emily Thompson, Intelligence Analyst assigned to the 126th IS. “As they are doing their job looking out into space at different assets, our job is to give them information they can make decisions on.”
Even gazing skyward from the top of Denali, North America’s tallest peak, the space surrounding our planet might appear as an infinite void. But NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office reveals a different reality: an estimated 500,000 small pieces of orbital debris and about 21,000 larger objects are whirling around our planet every day. This leads many of us asking the question, what exactly is up there?
Thompson explained that intelligence analysts play a crucial role in assisting the space operators by evaluating potential threats within the space debris. When operators encounter an object that requires tracking or when they notice any unusual activity or changes, they can quickly and efficiently consult the analyst’s expertise. Using their training, knowledge and skills, analysts can provide vital insights, finding the explanations for the abnormalities and assessing the object's capabilities and threat potential.
“The Air National Guard creates an unmatched capability for the Department of Defense”, said Hensley. “Our citizen-airmen bolster our military’s missions, as Polar Surge exemplifies. The space domain expertise that exists in the Air National Guard provides the U.S. and coalition forces a strategic advantage in the Great Power Competition.”
Polar Surge not only enhances both missions in the Ohio and Alaskan ANG but also ensures a more ready and relevant force. Ohio’s airmen collaborated closely with the Alaska ANG, active-duty counterparts, U.S. Space Force Guardians, members of the Canadian Air Force, and civilian contractors during this exercise. Thompson emphasized that Polar Surge provided a unique opportunity to expand the network between those forces. She also said it gave them a chance to display the extraordinary competencies of the 126th’s intelligence analysts, at home and in the final frontier.
“The 178th is not only incredibly capable for this type of stuff but our diversity of mission and people really give us a lot of skills that are not offered up here,” said Thompson.
Thomson noted the experience reinforced the multi-capable airman concept by exposing the 126th IS to diverse sets of challenges they wouldn’t encounter in Ohio.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee, intelligence analyst assigned to the 126th IS also had the opportunity to support Polar Surge.
“Since I have been out here, I have been able to definitely dive into my understanding of the tradecraft we have and the tools and processes we go through,” said Lee, standing in front of the five-story Space Force radar. “I’ve been able to exercise and really find out how what I do is helpful to the overall Air Force and defense of the nation.”
Schweickart said having intelligence analysts on station taught their operators to be more involved in what they are doing, seeing a bigger picture rather than just a blip on the screen. She also highlighted that one of the greatest benefits of Polar Surge was the opportunity to develop the airmen at both the 178th and the 213th by exposing them to new experiences, ultimately strengthening their mission and the U.S.’s military capabilities.
“It may not be what they are used to doing but they are passionate, and knowledgeable, and they are confident that they can do whatever comes their way,” said Schweikart. “They have been put outside their comfort zone, they have been pushed, and they know how to levy the relationships and grow those relationships.”
Hensley reiterated that the Ohio Air National Guard ensures our airmen are always ready and always there when called upon. She went on to explain that analysts in the 126th IS are hungry to showcase their skills and provide critical intelligence analysis and Polar Surge is a great opportunity to do just that.
While Alaska is known for its stunning landscapes and vast vistas, Polar Surge enables airmen of the 126th IS and 213th SWS to showcase the impact of integrating intelligence and operations. This support enhances the 213th’s mission, ensuring they receive expedited and critical intelligence. Through the Polar Surge partnership, the ANG has demonstrated once again that our Guardsmen are ready to answer the nation’s call.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.18.2024 13:33 |
| Story ID: | 483424 |
| Location: | FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 291 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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