HomeNews

Command Post operations keep base running

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Located behind a locked door with a warning sign posted is the entry to Eglin's nerve center, the installation command post. 

The command post serves as the executive agency for command and control for commanders during routine operations, emergencies, contingencies and increased readiness. Currently under the 33rd Fighter Wing, CP operations will fall under the 96th Air Base Wing Oct. 1, when the 33rd transitions to Air Education and Training Command.
The CP is a 24 hour a day, seven days a week operation that has 17 authorizations to man its shifts. However, like many organizations, CP personnel face heavy deployment schedules as evidenced by their boss, Maj. Gary Beene, who is getting ready to head out for a one-year deployment. The major said he'll leave knowing command post personnel will carry on the mission successfully because the CP recently received high marks on an inspection of its operations. 

Master Sgt. John Galbraith, CP superintendent, said the sheer size of the installation and scope of the missions is the biggest challenge controllers face daily. 

"With the size of the installation, we don't always get the information we need," he said. 

Besides being the executive agent for the installation commander, the CP also responds to emergency actions from Air Staff that are filtered down through command; operational reporting of activities from Eglin to higher headquarters; implementing force protection changes; Status of Resources and Training System, or SORTS, reporting and disseminating information to the general public. 

Sergeant Galbraith said at any given moment controllers can reach out and touch any of Eglin's assets. They follow flights of all assigned aircraft "real time" and also track location and availability of key personnel and have a 15-minute turnaround to locate a commander if asked. 

"We have the big picture," he said. "The commander needs to know the availability of his assets." 

During 12-hour shifts, controllers handle both routine and emergency operations. The CP uses more than 50 checklists that cover all contingencies that may arise. 

"Drunken driving, accidents, injuries, illnesses, you name it, we handle it," Sergeant Galbraith said. "We're the focal point for everything." 

Staff Sgt. Jeri Hickey has been a controller for six years. She entered the career field because she wanted to be "in the center of the base." 

"It's my job to get the information when agencies call in and be the liaison between the controllers and outside agencies," she said. 

Sergeant Hickey is responsible for operational reporting requirements for the wings' wartime mission so commanders' know what resources are lacking. She is makes sure reports are forwarded to higher headquarters on any major incident here. 

New to CP tasks is maintaining the Athoc computer system that sends automated notifications with pop-up messages to more than 14,000 computers if there are weather warnings, exercise messages, or important information. It used to take more than 50 telephone calls to disseminated information. Controller Tech Sgt. Christopher Galletto said there's multiple scenarios programmed into the web-based program. 

"There are distribution lists programmed in so we can target certain areas if required," Sergeant Galletto said. "We can manually change the minor details like the time of a weather warning." 

Eventually the Athoc will tie into the "Giant Voice" public address system, which is also managed through the CP. 

There are a minimum of two controllers on the console at any given time to answer calls and monitor all the radio frequencies used by the fire and police departments.
"It's the hub of our operations," Sergeant Galletto said.