Command Post is best in 4th Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brian McGloin
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 433rd Airlift Wing command post is the nerve center of wing information and operations, and was recently named the Small Conventional Command Post of the Year for 4th Air Force.

"The award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication the 433rd AW CP has sacrificed over the years," said Senior Master Sgt. LeaAnne LeCroix, command post superintendent. "From the Reservists who juggle civilian jobs and family matters in order to participate to the air reserve technicians who are the core of the command post, they are the heartbeat of the wing; they are here 24/7 and their sacrifices are ultimate."

Unlike many other places in the wing such as the commander's office or jet engine shop, the command post isn't one where a casual visitor can easily drop by.

One needs to pick up a phone and look into a camera over head and be buzzed in like a New York City apartment building, only with signs saying deadly force is authorized. Once inside a small vestibule, there is a place to leave cell phones - labeled for the various commanders and personnel who keep the Alamo Wing going.

"We work directly with [major command] command centers all the way up to the Pentagon and National Military Command Center to report incidents involving Lackland or its people," she said. "One phone call or aircraft radio call can change the whole tone of the day. You never know what you are going to walk into when you walk in for work."

The command post is responsible for gathering and disseminating information on all aspects of the Alamo Wing, including flying missions and training. The controllers who work in the command post become the hub in a crisis and provide vital information to the commanders across the wing.

"Controllers are like directors, letting every Airman on base know when to act during any incident that happens here at Lackland," Sergeant LeCriox said. "When something happens on or off base, we're the first to know, and we notify everyone necessary to take action."

"Each person will go that extra mile to do anything they can to get our planes in the air. Granted, most of this is through phone calls to another base agency, our tankers or even a down range base to coordinate new times or requirements our missions need," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Starner, 433rd AW command post controller. "Our priority is to get crews in the air for training, and then to get aircraft down range to move troops and supplies."

Whenever Lackland receives specific tasking from the Air Staff or from the Chairmen of Joint Chief of Staff, these tasking are received in the form of classified Emergency Action messages, which Command Post controllers are responsible for responding to and disseminating quickly.

Sergeant LeCroix said the command post provided support allowing the 68th Airlift Squadron to reach 7,000 flight training hours in addition to more than 52 real-world and exercise flying missions, both fulfilling humanitarian objectives and ensuring American security. But their work extends beyond the boundaries of Lackland.

"It's an honor they are the best command post in the 4th AF, the elite of the elite," she said. "It's an award that is earned for a controller who is dedicated themselves to their job."

Sergeant LeCroix said the command post is now in competition at the Air Force Reserve Command level.