Beale senior airman, Helmetta native, maintains communications gear for deployed Global Hawks

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Senior Airman Steven Hernandez is a cyber transport journeyman who works as a Global Hawk ground communications technician with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Hawk aircraft maintenance unit. He is deployed from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and his hometown is Helmetta, N.J.  

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05.21.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- On every RQ-4 Global Hawk deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, there is a launch and recovery element that is unique to the unmanned airframe. To keep it operational, cyber transport Airmen like Senior Airman Steven Hernandez are on hand to maintain the LRE.

Hernandez is a cyber transport journeyman who works as a Global Hawk ground communications technician with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Hawk aircraft maintenance unit. He is deployed from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.

According to its Air Force fact sheet, the Global Hawk offers a wide variety of employment options. The Global Hawk system consists of the RQ-4 aircraft with an integrated sensor suite, launch and recovery element, or LRE, mission control element, or MCE, sensors, communication equipment mission planning equipment, support element and trained personnel like Hernandez.

The LRE Hernandez maintains is located at the aircraft base. It launches the aircraft until handoff to the MCE contains functions required to launch, recover and operate an aircraft while en route to or from a target area. The LRE contains one pilot station providing the capability to operate one aircraft with no sensor operations.

"The LRE links the Global Hawk pilots and assists them in completing operations," Hernandez said.

Hernandez' training as a cyber transport journeyman gives him the basic skills to work on the Global Hawk's LRE. According to the official Air Force job description for the cyber transport career field, Airmen like Hernandez deploy, sustain, troubleshoot and repair standard voice, data and video network infrastructure systems, Internet protocol detection systems and cryptographic equipment. They perform, coordinate, integrate and supervise network design, configuration, operation, defense, restoration and improvements.

Cyber transport Airmen also analyze capabilities and performance, identify problems and take corrective action. They fabricate, terminate and interconnect wiring and associated network infrastructure devices. In short, they are computer network hardware and communication equipment specialists, the job description states.

Hernandez said his support of the Global Hawk mission is critical to the overall abilities of the success of the airframe to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

"The Global Hawk brings ISR capabilities to troops on the ground which in turn helps keep them safe," Hernandez said. "In that respect, my job is very important because the LRE helps the Global Hawk take off and land among many other things. But most of all, our success in launching the plane every day is helping save lives."

In joining the military more than three years ago, Hernandez said he made a wise decision to join the Air Force and serve his nation.

"Serving in the world's greatest Air Force gives me the opportunity to pursue my education and travel," said Hernandez, whose hometown is Helmetta, N.J. "Additionally, the Air Force has provided me with a chance to learn a trade that I can use toward my future."

The senior airman said he is also proud to be deployed.

"Being deployed is better than being at home station in some ways because we can help those in combat more directly," Hernandez said. "Also, since the Global Hawk is the future of ISR, I get to see the newest technology at work and what is being developed."

In the first three months of 2010, RQ-4 Global Hawks assigned to the 380th AEW flew more than 80 sorties in support of combat operations. That included more than 1,600 flying hours.

The 380th EAMXS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2010
• Date Posted: 05.21.2010 02:05
• Story ID: 50035
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)