MODERNIZATION EFFORTS ... - Air Force Network Integration Center

BASE MODERNIZES TO SUPPORT
NEW ISR/STRIKE MISSIONS
By Capt. Luis Claudio
36th Communications Squadron
AndERSEn AIR FORCE BASE,
Guam — Last year, the squadron’s
plans flight here, a.k.a. “commander’s
hired guns,” presented a case to
PACAF’s A6 leadership depicting
the base’s military growth and continuous
bomber/tanker rotational
presence in the hopes of receiving
some manning relief.
Once approved, a tasked superintendent
called wanting to know
what the rationale was behind his
troop deploying half way around
the world to “Sleepy Hollow.”
The squadron replied that the “Sleepy
Hollow” days are over. Projects such as
installation of 2.4 million feet of cabling
in more than 90 facilities; a $4.5 million
aircraft landing navigation system install;
and a $7 million, full IP-driven Land Mobile
Radio network upgrade that will provide
coverage to 95 percent of the island, are
testimony that business here is booming.
CONTINUED MODERNIZATION
During the past few years, the
36th CS has shaped a comprehensive
$50 million modernization
plan upgrading Andersen’s comm
and info infrastructure to receive
and support the beddown of proposed
ISR/strike missions within
the next five to seven years.
The plan called for $10 million
in fiscal year ‘06 funds for equipment
upgrades, project installs
and initiatives.
Another $5.4
million was
forecasted
Guam
for fiscal year ‘07, and $11 million
is earmarked for fiscal year ‘08. This
plan supports a $2.4 billion military construction
program forecasted for Andersen
AFB, making it Guam’s largest build up
since the Vietnam War.
THE NERVE CENTER
The plans flight is the nerve center
for Air Force comm squadrons,
and it’s no different here. Just last
year, the 36th CS processed more
than 800 requirements, in addition
to supporting an annual TDY
turn-over rate of more than 4,500
personnel, 100 aircraft and sorties.
Other agencies on Guam, including
those arriving for training, look
to 36th CS for support. Since 2004,
the unit has provided guidance for more
than 24 multi-service/national receptions,
6,600 warriors and 228 aircraft.
For example, the unit enabled
the combined control center for
Exercise Cope North by providing
comm and info support to 5th Air
Force and Japanese Air Forces. This
included support to 500 passengers
and 22 aircraft.
That was followed by a quickturn,
24-hour reconfiguration of
facilities to be used for Exercise
Valiant Shield, which required the
activation of six operations centers
for the direct C2 of 1,800 warriors
and 90 aircraft.
Other supported training included
the Navy’s advanced fighter
readiness exercises (800 Sailors and
40 aircraft) and the Headquarters
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s
island-wide combat exercise (2,000
Marines).
This was just a taste of things to
come because the base is preparing
to beddown 2,000 Marines in fiscal
year ‘10.
OTHER SUPPORT AREAS
Additional engineering support
came from the 38th Engineering
and Installtion Group from Tinker
AFB, Okla. They helped develop
the unit’s initiatives and review the
designs to ensure the associated
comm infrastructure was identified
before construction began. They
validated services for 30 ongoing
projects, and identified and corrected
a major comm design flaw,
thus saving the Air Force $3 million
in corrective costs.
The 36th CS also installed PACAF’s
first composite glideslope tower (which
vertically aligns aircraft to the runway),
and obtained approval to install a second
multi-function switch on Guam, thus eliminating
a DSN single point of failure.
They organized a study to
replace aged copper infrastructure
around base, which determined
that 1,300 pairs providing data and
voice service needed replacement.
Because of the costs associated with
replacements, they’re building a
business case to leverage the fiber
optic availability and new technologies,
such as Voice over Internet
Protocol implementation.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
The squadron is revamping
Northwest Field to beddown an additional
300 personnel. It will also
install a three-mile fiber run and
a new Information Transfer Node
facility that will enable the initial
beddown of RED HORSE, Combat
Comm and Commando Warrior
units. Future developments include
adding Giant Voice and wireless
capabilities, as well as providing for
new facility infrastructure and end
user equipment such as LMRs, network
switches and phone instruments.
From computers to landing systems, comm supports the mission.
Billions in upgrades support new missions, technology, and people.
Comm warriors support multiple exercises year-round.
Aircraft over the southern tip of Guam.
10 intercom✭ June 2007
C4ISR ✭Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
Online ✭public.afca.af.mil
intercom ✭ June 2007 11