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Communicators lay foundation for future of Afghanistan

By Capt. James H. Cunningham 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – As U.S. forces prepare to return control of the airport terminal and tower to Afghan control, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bellard, computer communications systems operator, 451st Air Expeditionary Group Support Communications Section, programs an Internet switch to prepare for the relocation of personnel from both the Kandahar Air Mobility Command passenger terminal and air terminal operations center. As U.S. forces prepare to return control of the airport terminal and tower to Afghan control, combat communicators here have installed more than a mile of copper and fiber cabling. Sergeant Bellard a native of Church Point, La., is deployed here from the Hammond Air National Guard Station in Hammond, La. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald) (Released) combat communicators assigned to 451st Air Expeditionary Group communications flight here recently stepped up and out of their lanes to provide critical communications by installing more than a mile of copper and fiber cabling.

When a short-suspense installation project could not be staffed by an engineering and installation team, the flight took the challenge head-on. The communications flight began the work of re-routing more than 6,000 feet of communication lines to ensure connectivity wasn’t lost during the changeover.

The project involved running the wiring through conduit and burying it in trenches. The project has also left room for additional cables for expansion in the future. “We were able to get the process started to make sure no capabilities were lost,” said Capt. Paul Perron, 451st AEG Communications Flight commander, deployed here from the 236th Combat Communications Squadron in Hammond, La. “They’ve picked up the ball and run with it like you wouldn’t believe.”

For the flight of less than 20 Airmen, charged with maintaining network communications for the Air Force personnel and missions here, innovation has become a way of life.

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“It’s inspiring to know that what we’re doing, in the long run, will make it a whole lot better here than it has been in a long time,” said Master Sgt. Richard Poole, deployed from the 223rd Combat Communications Squadron in Hot Springs, Ark.

Master Sgt. Ric Poole, NCOIC of maintenance, 451st Air Expeditionary Group Support Communications Section, helps dig a ditch for relocating 2,400 feet of radar fiber and computer network and phone cable here.

As U.S. forces prepare to return control of the airport terminal and tower to Afghan control, combat communicators here have installed more than a mile of copper and fiber cabling. Sergeant Poole, an Air National Guardsman, is deployed here from Hot Springs Memorial Air Field in Hot Springs, Ark. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald) (Released)Other improvements have also been made. Communicators devised a way to increase the network’s bandwidth capability 10 fold by upgrading and installing enhanced network switches.

“This has allowed us to have fewer network problems and better support the mission,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bellard, 451st AEG Communications Flight’s NCOIC of network management, deployed from the 236th Combat Communications Squadron in Hammond, La.

Improving systems here, especially those used by operators, has a direct impact on the mission.

“Losing communication here can literally mean life and death to the people we’re supporting,” said Sergeant Bellard.

As Afghanistan begins to take more control, Airmen here are planning on making a lasting impact in the Global War on Terror.

“This isn’t about making temporary changes,” said Col. Gerald E. Szpila, 451st AEG commander. “We’re taking a long-term approach and making improvements that will last well beyond our AEF cycle. The results will benefit not only the rotations to come, but will also lay a foundation for a better Afghanistan.”