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***image1***Recently, the 435th Communications Squadron’s GSC-52 satellite communications terminal antennas required a face-lift. With a little help from 86th Airlift Wing’s 1st Combat Communications Squadron, the week-long maintenance down-time was slashed to five minutes.
“This mission provided 1st CBCS and 435th CS Airmen with a unique opportunity to combine efforts and expertise ensuring vital connectivity to the warfighter downrange,” said Lt. Col. Joe Sublousky, 1st CBCS commander.
Mother Nature had taken her toll on the Air Force’s communication systems, the Standardized Tactical Entry Point, and maintenance teams needed to remove corrosion, clean and align electronic equipment within the terminal to extend the life of the system.
Because this terminal acts as a major standardized tactical entry point, delivering vital communication services across the entire European Command area of responsibility, operations could not be interrupted for the week-long maintenance.
Enter the 1st Combat Communications Squadron’s tactical satellite communications team; the communication planners devised a plan to keep critical communication links online to support the warfighter.
Continuously ready and willing to meet a challenge, the Airmen of the 1st CBCS answered the call, dispatching a three-Airman team and their TSC-168 Quad band Dual-Hub Satellite Terminal to the STEP site to keep the comm lines running. The team, consisting of Staff Sgts. John Phillips and Talmadge Beasley and Senior Airman Daniel Schultz, pulled off a seamless transition of service while contractors repaired the STEP’s 38-foot antenna.
“Combat Comm has the only readily-available equipment that is able to support our high-priority circuits,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Flanery, 435th CS satellite systems technician. “Utilizing their equipment and expertise was the only choice as far as we are concerned. Their real-world experience coupled with their dedication makes them the ideal choice, in any case.”
Airman Schultz operated as the mid-shift maintainer: “The Ramstein STEP always provides us with top-notch service. Giving them a hand with their periodic maintenance is the least we can do.”
Downtime resulting from the antenna changeover was limited to five minutes. This was largely due to the excellent working relationship the 1st CBCS tactical satellite systems operators have with the Ramstein STEP terminal operators. “We rely heavily on being able to work with the Ramstein technicians in all situations when we are downrange,” said Staff Sgt. John Phillips, 1st CBCS. “Working directly with the personnel here at the STEP only strengthens that relationship.”
“Working with 1st Combat Comm brings back memories,” said Tech. Sgt. David Wiggins, 435th CS shift supervisor. “As a former member of that unit, it was nice to see that professionalism and expertise that (they were) always known for has not waned with the new generation. Their commitment and mission-minded attitude was integral to the successful completion of our scheduled maintenance.”
