606th ACS conducts training to maintain readiness

Published Aug. 5, 2015
By Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen of the 606th Air Control Squadron commenced mobile deployment training July 27, 2015, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

The squadron's weeklong training included pallet building, five-ton driver training, tow training and tent setup.

This specific training aims to ensure the 606th ACS can load their equipment, transport it to austere locations and build work centers from the ground up to accomplish the mission.

"Right now, we're making sure we're a mobile unit--that's our first step in training," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Aaron Gibney, 606th ACS commander. "Next, we're going to make sure we are ready to provide tactical command and control."

According to U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Wester, 606th ACS chief enlisted manager, the training the squadron is doing is to help Airmen be better prepared to meet mission taskers.

Additionally, he added that all this training while keeping their local mission going would not be possible without every Airman in the squadron.

"The Airmen continue to impress me and amaze me," Wester said. "Anytime you are in a training environment, you face challenges, and that is what training is for. But what impresses me about these Airmen is they identify the challenges and come up with solutions and continue to find ways to execute the mission."

The 606th ACS is a self-sustaining squadron consisting of maintenance, supply and approximately 19 other specialties. The unit provides daily command and control to the 480th Fighter Squadron in addition to the occasional control of E-3A Sentry AWACS from NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, and visiting aircraft from around the U.S. Air Forces in Europe scope of operations.