“1000s of Hands” Project: 455th ECS Senior Airman Caleb McKinney

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Cierra Presentado | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb McKinney, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron radio frequency transmissions systems technician, works on a radio system Sept. 23, 2015, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. McKinney is responsible for ensuring all radio systems to include air to ground radios, on Bagram remain operable at all times ensuring the mission is carried out on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cierra Presentado/Released)  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

09.30.2015

Story by Senior Airman Cierra Presentado 

455th Air Expeditionary Wing   

By SrA Caleb McKinney

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Senior Airman Caleb McKinney, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron radio frequency transmissions systems technician, is responsible for ensuring all radio systems, to include air to ground radios, on Bagram remain operable daily and at all times to ensure the mission is carried out.

In the event there is a power outage, McKinney makes sure the radio systems used by senior leaders and pilots are up and running so communication flows throughout the base and personnel are in the know about whatever situation is occurring. McKinney supports agencies ranging from first responders to the guard towers around BAF.

“Being here in BAF, it’s not that easy to just pull out a cell phone if something is happening,” McKinney said. “Folks are able to keep communication with these radios even when there is an outage. We also have a backup system in place, so no matter what our senior leaders will always to be able to communicate.

“Without LMR, Bagram would be in a very tight spot as far as getting people where they need to be,” he said. “I really enjoy being able to work with every single agency on base; no matter how big or small the shop is everyone uses a radio in some fashion. Being able to go out to any place and set up comm is something I take pride in, and I take a lot of pride in making sure it’s done right.”

McKinney is part of the “1000s of Hands” of the 455 AEW Airmen who are crucial to the wing’s mission to generate and sustain air power on the combat frontier of Afghanistan’s NATO’s Resolute Support mission and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The "1000s of Hands" project highlights Vulture Airmen who have a hand in delivering a blanket of steel, technology and courage to protect the force in the field and support Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2015
• Date Posted: 09.30.2015 07:08
• Story ID: 177583
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF