Cable Dawgs train above Barksdale

Airman 1st Class Chris Bailey, 2nd Communications Squadron cable and antenna systems maintainer, looks upward as he climbs a communication tower on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15, 2015. Cable and antenna Systems Airmen must be aware of their surroundings and look out for falling objects. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Cable Dawgs train above Barksdale

Airman 1st Class Robert Ritchie, 2nd Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems maintainer, climbs a communication tower on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15, 2015. Antennae on communication towers must be operable for communication between base personnel as well as pilots. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Cable Dawgs train above Barksdale

Airman 1st Class Chris Bailey, 2nd Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems Maintainer, prepares his safety restraint before climbing a communication tower on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15, 2015. Cable and Antenna Systems Airmen must ensure everything is secure before they begin climbing. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Cable Dawgs train above Barksdale

Airmen from 2nd Communications Squadron cable and antenna systems, hoist a rescue dummy up to the top of a communications tower on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15, 2015. The rescue dummy represents a disabled climber, and cable and antenna Airmen must be able to safely move the disabled Airman down the tower. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Cable Dawgs train above Barksdale

Airmen from 2nd Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems, lower a rescue dummy down a tower on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15, 2015. The simulation is important in the event an Airman becomes ill or passes out, they can be moved to a safe location. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Cable Dawgs train above Barksdale

Published July 22, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Luke Hill

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Airmen from the 2nd Communications Squadron cable and antenna systems, or "cable dawgs", renewed their tower rescue certification at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 15.

Staying sharp on rescue procedures is important due to the inherent danger of tower maintenance.

"We have to renew our training annually," said Senior Airman Brandon Gayton, 2nd Communications Squadron cable and antenna systems maintainer. "In the event someone passes out, or is too exhausted to continue, we will have to perform a rescue and get them down the tower."

To perform a rescue, an Airman must secure the disabled Airman's harness to their harness and safely repel down the tower with them. Although the procedure is not complex, nothing is simple when it's done more than 100 feet in the air.

"If something happens to someone while we are up there, we have to remain calm and get them down safely," said Master Sgt. Brian Bussie, 2nd CS cable and antenna systems section chief. "It can be scary while you are up there. I climbed my first tower over 20 years ago. It doesn't get any easier, you just get used to it."

Due to adverse conditions, such as heat, high winds, and the amount of time Airmen spend at the top of towers, rescue skills are essential because they never know when they will need it.

"It does happen," said Bussie, "I have seen people pass out. I haven't needed to perform a rescue yet, however there are people within our squadron who have."

Despite the danger involved, tower maintenance is one of Gayton's favorite parts of the job.

"I really enjoy climbing," said Gayton, "The view is really nice. You can see all the way downtown from some towers on base. This is definitely one of the things I love about our job."

When it comes to communication towers, underground cables, facility data and voice lines, the cable dawgs keep the 2nd Bomb Wing flying high. Annual rescue training not only keeps Airmen safe, but teaches them how save one of their own.