2nd OSS demolish barriers for new datalink center

Photo By Staff Sgt. Max Miller | Chaplain (Capt.) Mitchell S. Holley, 2nd Bomb Wing chaplain, takes a swing at a wall while making way for a new datalink center at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, August 27, 2019. The datalink ground station that will be run from this center and it will provide beyond line of sight communication for both training and real world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lillian Miller)  

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA, UNITED STATES

08.28.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Max Miller 

2nd Bomb Wing

The 2nd Operations Support Squadron began taking steps forward in the Integrated Operations Center for a datalink operation center Aug 27, 2019.

The B-52H Stratofortress’s communication system was recently upgraded to a datalink center and the 2nd OSS is working to make one room dedicated to corresponding with the aircraft.

This project creates a one-stop shop for providing in-flight communications training for the B-52H Stratofortress crew. The datalink ground station is projected to run from the new operations center and will provide beyond line of sight communication for both training and real world missions.

“The end result for that room is a datalink center which will allow us to coordinate with the B-52H Stratofortress within line of sight and beyond,” said Maj. Brian Groth, 2nd Bomb Wing datalink manager.

Currently, the 2nd OSS has the capability to use these datalinks but they are spread out, the new operations center will give them the ability to concentrate all of the communication systems in one location and enhance the ability to provide realistic training.

“The national defense strategy depends on our ability to communicate over long distances and this center will help us train to do that,” said Col. David Gordon, 2nd Operations Group commander. “I am really excited about this project coming to fruition and I want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

The datalink operation center is expected to be fully up and running in early to mid-January 2020.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2019
• Date Posted: 08.28.2019 17:47
• Story ID: 337806
• Location: BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA, US