Airmen train together to maintain combat readiness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathanael Callon
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  In order to effectively operate ground and surface radar systems in combat operations, a diverse team of Airmen must work and train together to inspect the skies.

The 606th Air Control Squadron is a self-sustaining unit capable of setting up bare-base operations and providing airspace surveillance at a moment's notice, and requires a unique and complex organization.

The 606th ACS consists of 21 different specialties to get the job done including radio operators, vehicle maintainers, communications specialists and radar technicians.

"Each individual is tasked with a specific function to complete the mission; each specialty functions with the other to ensure the combatant commanders are able to make decisions," Master Sgt. Jason Boster, 606th ACS Combat Readiness superintendent, said.

No single job is more important than the other; each person brings a unique and specific capability to the team. Each person must know his or her job as well as remain up to date on combat related training.

Combat readiness plays an important role in each Airman's daily life.

"Whether it is computer-based training, on-the-job training or field exercises, we are constantly preparing ourselves to be the best when the time comes to go into combat," Sergeant Boster said.

Exercises and routine training help prepare the squadron for real world events. Such training allows maintainers to practice equipment troubleshooting and operators the chance to practice airspace deconfliction. The leaders are also able to practice split-second decision making that can affect troops on the ground.

"Participating in exercises helps me quickly recognize trends with equipment malfunction and establish basic procedures for directing maintenance in a deployed environment," Staff Sgt. Jonathan Mills, 606th ACS Maintenance Operations Center assistant NCO in charge, said.

"The exercises teach us what to expect and provide us with the tools to execute a prompt and comprehensive response to support air operations," Sergeant Mills added.

The 606th ACS has deployed every year since 2003, with seven unit deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

"As one of only two air control squadrons in U.S. Air Forces in Europe, there is a very high demand for our squadron to deploy," Master Sgt. Randall Bach, 606th ACS first sergeant, said. "Because the demand is so high, we have to always strive to be the best at everything we do."



Editor's Note: The men and women of the 606th ACS strive for excellence in all they do and as a result have earned the following awards in the past year:

2009 U.S. Air Force Winners:
- Senior Airman Ronnie Saldana - 2009 U.S. Air Force Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator of the Year, Airman category
- Tech. Sgt. Homero Gonzalez - 2009 U.S. Air Force AC&WS Operator of the Year, NCO category
- Master Sgt. James Martinez - 2009 U.S. Air Force AC&WS Operator of the Year, senior NCO category

2009 USAFE Winners:
- Senior Airman Greg L. Lombardozzi - 2009 USAFE Outstanding Support Professional of the Year, Airman category
- Tech. Sgt. Mark R. Burwen - 2009 USAFE Outstanding Theater Air Control System Communicator of the Year, NCO category
- Master Sgt. Kenneth C. Bosshard - 2009 USAFE Outstanding Theater Air Control System Communicator of the Year, senior NCO category
- Master Sgt. John Mathews - 2009 USAFE Outstanding Support Professional of the Year, senior NCO category
- Capt. David King - 2009 USAFE Outstanding Theater Air Control System Communicator, company grade officer category
- Capt. Michael D. Sward - 2009 USAFE Outstanding Air Battle Manager

2009 52nd Fighter Wing Winners:
- Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Fox - 2009 52nd FW Communications & Information Communication-Electronics Maintainer of the Year, NCO category
- Capt. David King - 2009 52nd FW Communications & Information Communication-Electronics Maintainer of the Year, CGO category


2010 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Winners:
- Tech. Sgt. Laurie Garcia - 379th AEW NCO of the 3rd Quarter 2010
- Tech. Sgt. Laurie Garcia - First 379th AEW Grand Slam Hall of Fame Inductee
- Senior Airman Aqueelah Beazer - 379th Expeditionary Operations Group Airman of the Month August 2010
- 379th Expeditionary Operations Group Team of the Month - September 2010 for execution of Command and Control support during Afghanistan Parliamentary Elections
- 379th AEW Unit Safety Award - August 2010

2010 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Winners:
- Senior Master Sgt. Steve Fallin - 451st Expeditionary Operations Group Senior NCO of the Month, October 2010