Command Post takes charge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2nd Bomb Wing Command Post provides continuous support to the bomber mission here. Airmen at the command post are the nerve center of all activity on base.

A recent Major Accident Response Exercise offered a glimpse of how important the expertise of the command post Airmen is to the Barksdale mission. They were on their toes Oct. 5 as tornado and flood warnings were announced during the exercise. The command post warned Airmen of danger, gathered key leadership, and took accountability.

"We have to be on our game at all times," said Staff Sgt. Amber Perry, 2 BW Command Post training manager. "We are prepared for emergency calls at all hours, day and night."

The command post Airmen are responsible for relaying classified and unclassified messages to the 2 BW commander. They are the first to be notified of all emergency situations and alerts. Emergencies include suicides, accidents, and gas leaks. Alerts include notifications of Airmen driving under the influence and maintainer trucks breaking down. Once they receive the notifications, it is their responsibility to pass the information to the commander.

"Each of us gets interviewed by the commander before we receive our certification," Perry said. "His goal is to make sure that we aren't afraid to call him whenever a situation arises, even when it's three o'clock in the morning."

After working in a command post position for nine years, Staff Sgt. Danny DeLong, 2 BW nuclear command and control systems NCO in-charge, knows how important it is to make sure the command post has continuous contact with the commander.

"We are the eyes and the ears of the commander," DeLong said. "It is our mission to make sure information gets transferred quickly and efficiently."

The command post has two to three Airmen present at all times. After 15-months of on-the-job training and certification with the wing commander, the Airmen are prepared to overcome any obstacles they come by, DeLong said.

"You have to be fit for this mission," he said. "The mission here is unlike any mission at any other base."

The 2 BW command post is prepared for all of the challenges brought their way, he said. They participate in weekly trainings, tests and meetings to keep their minds in the game. The command post is ready to effectively and efficiently complete the mission here.

For emergency notifications, contact the command post at 318-456-2151.