Command Post "24-hour Duties"

Photo By Senior Airman Faith Iris Macilvaine | Staff Sgt. Alysha Davis, NCOIC of systems, and Airman 1st Class Joseph Ross, nuclear emergency actions controllers, share the importance of their duties at 90th Missile Wing's Command Post during their shift on June 26, 2021, at F.E Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It is the job of the command post to ensure operations and communications run efficiently and effectively under any circumstance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Faith Iris MacIlvaine)  

CHEYENNE, WY, UNITED STATES

06.26.2021

Story by Airman 1st Class Faith Iris Macilvaine 

90th Missile Wing

Staff Sgt. Alysha Davis, NCOIC of systems, and Airman 1st Class Joseph Ross, nuclear emergency actions controllers, share the importance of their duties at 90th Missile Wing's Command Post while working a twelve-hour shift on June 26, 2021, at F.E Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

The command post is the central command point for receiving outgoing and incoming communication, and they are manned 24/7 on every base. It is the job of the command post to ensure operations and communications run efficiently and effectively under any circumstance. They are also the liaison between commanders, first sergeants, as well as on and off base agencies.

The command post team’s mission is to get information disseminated to the correct people in a timely manner.

“Someone always needs to be here to receive the call, get the information out, begin the checklist, and initiate everything,” explained Ross. “For example, in an active-shooter scenario, time and communication are crucial.”

If the proper people are not notified in a real-world event and information is not quickly pushed out, it could be extremely detrimental to the safety of others.

“I feel like our job is one of the most important on base, if we don’t communicate between first responders fast enough, people could lose their lives, “ said Davis. “No matter the situation, it is our job to take care of the Big-A Airmen, someone needing a Chaplain, victim’s advocate, a domestic violence situation, we’re here to get you to the correct people.”

While other agencies or personnel may not be available at late hours of the night or the weekend, the command post is always manned 24 hours a day to take that call.

“We’ve had situations where we need get ahold of someone in the field immediately, we get that call, get their first sergeant, and we make that communication happen so any issues can be swiftly resolved, “ said Davis

The Giant Voice system and the AtHoc, emergency mass notification alerts that come across electronic devices, are another responsibility of the command post. These can be weather notifications, updates on the force protection condition/health protection condition, and more.

The command post team is trained to handle emergency actions, coordinate with first responders, practice emergency management, along with studying lots of terminology and bookwork. Each member must demonstrate their efficiency and knowledge of the job through a monthly test.

The command post team is currently operating on the Panama schedule, which follows a 2-2-3 shift plan, to alternate duties and the long shift hours between the Airmen.

“The job can be difficult at times, but we love supporting the mission and the base,” said Davis.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2021
• Date Posted: 07.05.2021 21:11
• Story ID: 399979
• Location: CHEYENNE, WY, US