Unit helps ensure America's safety

by Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman, 55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb - The 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, a tenant unit here, was realigned under Air Force Global Strike Command from Air Force Space Command Dec. 1. Air Force Global Strike Command will oversee all of the service's nuclear forces.

"The creation of this new command reflects the Air Force's firm and unshakeable conviction that nuclear deterrence and global strike operations are a special trust and responsibility, one that we take very seriously," said Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, commander of AFGSC.

While this transition certainly marks a significant milestone for the nation's nuclear forces the unit's movement to AFGSC will have little affect on daily operations, said Lt. Col. Ronald G. Allen Jr., 625th STOS commander.

"The transfer itself will be almost transparent to our unit as we will continue to work through our same chain of command. The major difference now is we belong to a command that is singularly focused on the nuclear mission every day," Colonel Allen said.

Part of the 625th STOS mission is to manage America's ICBM arsenal, something the unit takes very seriously, said Colonel Allen.

The Global Strike Command stood-up during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 7 to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in a safe, secure and credible way to support of the President of the United States and Combatant Commanders.

On Dec. 1 AFGSC assumed responsibility of the intercontinental ballistic missile mission and is scheduled to gain the nuclear-capable bomber mission Feb. 1, 2010.

The 625th STOS supports U.S. Strategic Command and Global Strike Command with accurate ICBM targeting, precise trajectory analysis, viable and proven airborne launch control system capability and a secure command and control communications system.

"We ensure America's ICBMs are able to hit their targets through a very rigorous verification and validation process identical to the operational environment where they will be employed," Colonel Allen said. "This process ensures targeting is achievable before delivery to operational units."

"Our airborne launch and control crews provide survivable launch capability for the nation's ICBMs by using the E-6B aircraft," Colonel Allen said. "Like ICBM ground crews, ALCS crews are on alert every day of the year to execute their mission, if called upon to do so."

One of the squadron's airborne warriors is Capt. David S. Bristow, an air launch control system officer and an intelligence planner. The captain said he is responsible for commanding and operating the air launch control system, which provides survivable launch capability for the ICBM force. The air launch capability ensures multiple ways to control ICBM launches.

He is also an intelligence officer whose primary mission is to get the right information to the decision makers in order to translate information superiority into decision superiority, he said. Ultimately however, the captain said he contributes to the success of the 625th mission, one he emphasized is critical to the United States and its allies.

Credible nuclear weapons act, "As a stabilizing force for peace, while protecting our nation from attack," Captain Bristow said. "The hard work, expertise and professionalism of the men and women of the 625th ultimately provide credibility for our nation's nuclear deterrent force."

"Managing America's ICBMs, providing flawless ballistic missile engineering analysis, ensuring secure strategic communications, and having Airmen constantly on alert, ready to respond at a moment's notice--that's what the 625th STOS does and what we'll continue to do in the future, to ensure the security of the United States," Colonel Allen said.

E-4 commemorates 35 years on alert

An aircrew from the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron board an E-4B here during a simulated alert mission. The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200 and serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the president, secretary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The aircraft passed a significant milestone this month by sitting alert constantly for more than 35 years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lance Cheung)

by Ryan Hansen, 55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. - To say there have been a lot of changes in the past 35 years would be a bit of an understatement.

To give a frame of reference, gas was roughly 50 cents a gallon, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who currently own six Super Bowl trophies, had yet to win their first, and the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States was in full swing.

However, there is one thing that has not changed, and that's the E-4 sitting on continuous alert, ready to respond to any crisis at a moment's notice.

The E-4 is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200 and serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the president, secretary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was delivered to the Air Force for operational use in December 1974 and assumed alert status from the EC-135J 35 years ago this month. Since then, the aircraft and her Nightwatch team have been continuously ready, serving "hot" alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The E-4B is the most technologically advanced airborne system in the world," said Lt. Col. David Gaskill, 1st Airborne Command Control Squadron commander, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the aircraft. "From the front to (the) back of the jet, we've got some of the brightest and most professional Airmen in the Air Force."

Originally known as the National Emergency Airborne Command Post, the E-4's mission during the late 1970s and 1980s was to provide the president a safe location to conduct wartime operations in the event of a nuclear attack, earning the jet the dubious moniker, "the doomsday plane."

As the Cold War came to a close in the 1990s, the E-4 remained on alert status, but saw its mission expand and name change to the NAOC in 1994.

"The mission focus expanded to satisfy national leadership, worldwide command, control and communications requirements across the entire threat spectrum, not only nuclear," said Col. Martin Doebel, NAOC commander, who has served as part of the E-4 mission for more than 17 years.

Through the years, the E-4's responsibilities have continued to grow and now include not only national leadership, but also support to civil authorities in response to natural disasters and other nonwartime crises.

"The NAOC mission is unquestionably important, but I'm honestly more impressed by the quality of our Airmen charged with its execution," Colonel Doebel said.

A standard E-4 alert crew consists of roughly 60 people. This includes 40 from the 55th Wing's operations, maintenance and mission support groups along with 20 from NAOC, who are assigned to U.S. Strategic Command.

Of the 55th WG's alert personnel, 15 different specialties are represented including pilots, navigators, flight engineers, aircraft maintenance, flight attendants, communication officers, data and radio operators, security forces and technical controllers.

"I really enjoy being a part of the E-4 mission," said Staff Sgt. Krystal Lerohl, a flight attendant with the 1st ACCS. "Every time we fly, I know we are part of a very important mission so it's an honor to be onboard."

"The best part of serving on the E-4 is twofold," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Branch, a 1st ACCS data operator. "It's a unique mission to support the president and the SecDef while being in an environment where you can always expand your knowledge on the equipment you work with."

Getting and remaining qualified on all the required systems is a huge challenge for maintenance personnel charged with keeping the E-4 mission ready due to the aircraft's size and ever changing modifications. However, this constant battle does not take away the pride in those that serve this important mission.

"We are a very close knit team that works well together because everyone assigned here understands what our mission is and focuses on accomplishing the mission with great pride," said Senior Master Sgt. Darrell Amoruso, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant superintendent. "It makes me very proud to serve alongside the professional men and women who provide the absolute best maintenance in the world for such a large, premier platform."

The NAOC alert personnel include Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines from a variety of specialties. Combined they provide the necessary skills to support the battle staff mission.

"Serving this nation as a part of the NAOC team is a great source of pride and satisfaction," said Lt. Col. Russell Mammoser, command center operations chief for NAOC Operations Team 2. "It is truly amazing how a diverse team of 55th Wing and STRATCOM professionals meld to execute such a vital mission."

"Each service brings their unique perspective when it comes to the different aspects of the mission we are tasked with," said Marine Corps Maj. Matt Stover, an emergency actions officer for NAOC Operations Team 2. "The way an Army artillery officer approaches a challenge may be entirely different from the way a naval aviator would handle similar circumstances and different yet from an Air Force pilot."

From the outside, the gleaming white, four-engine, swept-wing E-4 may look like the same plane that first sat alert in 1975, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

According to Colonel Doebel, the designation change from E-4A to E-4B in 1980 introduced two fundamental technological enhancements to the aircraft. This included the integration of satellite communications with the Super High Frequency system operating over the Defense Satellite Communications System, bringing with it the distinctive second hump on top of the aircraft in the form of the SHF antenna radome, and aerial refueling capability. Together, these provided the E-4 true worldwide operations and communications capability.

"The E-4B has seen a steady stream of modernization efforts, principally focused on integration of new Air Force or DOD communications systems, such as the Extremely High Frequency Milstar system and sustainment of existing C3 systems," Colonel Doebel said. "The most significant E-4B modernization effort was delivered in 2006 with aircraft 73-1677, transitioning (from) an analog communications backbone to a digital fiber-optic system and providing robust broadband access supporting myriad voice, data and video information systems, applications and tools across all classification levels."

While having the latest and greatest technology available is important to the mission, it can be challenging to the crews at times.

"One of the biggest challenges is keeping our training syllabus current with the newest modification," Colonel Gaskill said. "As the technology advances and new systems are added, we continuously change the training syllabus ... learning the systems and how the new system affects your job, the job of those around you and the users is an on-going challenge."

The Air Force has four E-4s in its inventory and in a typical year the fleet will fly more than 50 overseas missions, including stops in more than 25 countries. For some personnel arriving for duty on the aircraft, getting used to the alert schedule can be an adjustment.

"Some handle it better than others," Colonel Gaskill said. "We try to keep the crews on a somewhat predictable schedule to ease the uncertainty of what can happen on alert. The jet must be continuously ready to launch. Running from weather that could jeopardize mission accomplishment, completing assigned (higher headquarters) taskings and juggling crew readiness with limited resources is a nonstop game that we play."

"I think it's normal to feel very jumpy the first few times because you never know when the Klaxon might go off," Sergeant Lerohl said. "I remember sleeping in my flight suit the first couple of times, but I don't do that anymore. As time goes by, you feel more and more prepared."

"Alert can be an adjustment period, but for those of us that come here straight from (technical) school we don't really know any different," said Staff Sgt. Elena Alonzo, a radio operator, instructor and evaluator with the 1st ACCS. "Alert is our schedule, and we know that every three weeks we will be gone for a week at a time."

Even with 35 years in its contrails, the E-4 continues to look ahead. Small modifications to the jet are almost always ongoing, and soon it will be back on a four-year maintenance and modernization cycle that will allow one aircraft to be out of service at a time.

"It is unlikely there will be another E-4 modernization effort of a similar magnitude to the digital upgrade," Colonel Doebel said. But rather he expects "a series of smaller efforts focused on modernization and sustainment of existing systems, and increased integration of current capabilities to provide an enhanced seamless information environment for all mission customers."

Factoring in all of the modernization efforts to the aircraft over the past 35 years, the value of each E-4 is nearly $1 billion. With a jet that valuable, a global mission and its list of high-profile users, the alert crews have no trouble staying focused on the task at hand.

"People like what they do and are dedicated to the mission," Colonel Gaskill said. "I think everyone realizes who is watching and the importance of the mission. The trust that I have in their ability to respond on short notice taskings or solve unforeseen problems is unprecedented. They are some of the best our country has to offer."

"Understanding why, in the most extreme case, we ask our Airmen to be vigilant, constantly on the watch pulling alert 24/7 is sobering," Colonel Doebel said. "I like to think it's because of the diligence and tireless dedication and sacrifice of all the Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines of the Nightwatch team who have pulled alert (for the) past 35 years on the E-4, that we have been successful in deterring and dissuading our potential adversaries."