Cable dawgs fetch the line Published Nov. 7, 2008 By Senior Airman Danielle R. Hill 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCEBASE, La. -- The 2d Communications Squadron plays a vital role in daily communications that impact all of Barksdale Air Force Base. Without this squadron and its Airmen, there would be no telephone systems or computer Internet access. "Without cable, there is no communication," said Staff Sgt. Aron Lewers, 2d Communications Squadron. "The fiber cable we work with correlates with data and the copper cable correlates with voice." The Cable and Antenna Systems Specialists, better known as the cable dawgs, work daily to ensure each cable is installed and working properly, whether it be above or underground. They splice, seal, pressurize and repair all types of cables, as well as use testing equipment for troubleshooting cable systems. "We run all lines for the base. Without us running the data and voice lines no one would be able to communicate," said Sergeant Lewers. Others may see these 22 Airmen crawling out of man holes in the middle of the street, digging a trench or under a hard hat in a construction area. While their shop is headquartered in the basement of the Civil Engineer Squadron building, the whole base can be viewed as their workshop. "There is not a building on base that we don't step foot in at one time or another," said Staff Sgt. Erik Castilleja , 2d Communications Squadron. Teamwork is a huge part of the job for these cable dawgs. Sergeant Lewers, who has been in this career field for more than seven years, stated people will rarely see a cable dawg alone. When digging a trench to bury a cable, there are always at least two people on the job, one working the trencher and the other spotting so a previously buried cable doesn't get disturbed by the digging. Airmen installing new cables also will have someone with them to ensure proper installation takes place. They also work closely with other squadrons, civilians and Airmen. "The best part of our job is that we are able to work with many other people around base," said Sergeant Castilleja. "We work closely with civilian contractors, and are able to see how our job correlates with what they do in the civilian world." Staying away from the other lines that are buried is a big obstacle that the cable dawgs face on a daily basis. When a cable is cut or damaged, these communications specialists have to immediately repair the cable. Sergeant Lewers said that most cables that are cut are priority one, and need to be repaired at a rapid pace, so people can remain in contact with others. A unique technical training regimen takes place when these Airmen leave basic training. Their technical training schools are split up at two Texas bases: Lackland Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base. Trainees are at Lackland Air Force Base for around two months, and then shift to Sheppard Air Force Base for another six months. A few years back, Air Force officials combined two career fields, cable systems and antenna systems, to make this one career field. These Airmen work daily to ensure each member at Barksdale is able to communicate with each other.