Eielson's DCC helps facilitate Army Deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Air Force Base Deployment Control Center processed nearly 5,000 Fort Wainwright U.S. Army Soldiers as well as other war fighting assets through the Joint Mobility Complex with help from various agencies on base.

From Feb. 3 to 6 the DCC played an integral role as the primary hub for facilitating and coordinating mission support for this deployment.

In one of the largest missions undertaken, the DCC supported Fort Wainwright utilizing numerous agencies across Eielson. Some agencies helped refuel military aircraft and commercial charter planes, others provided transportation for military personnel and cargo, airfield management kept the airfield in operation, and some even provided in-flight meals for U.S. Soldiers.

"We are the point of contact for Eielson Air Force base." said Timothy Donovan, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. "We support the Army and facilitate their operations. If Soldiers need something or anything goes wrong they will contact us and we'll coordinate with agencies to make sure they get the support they need."

Army sent representatives to engage and organize with Airmen as the missions were executed. The coordination allowed everyone's needs to be met without delay. Every flying mission requires a team effort, both from Eielson and whomever the Iceman Team is supporting he said. In this case Soldiers needed AF support to move a lot of people and military assets in a short amount of time.

Of course, with so many missions sometimes an operation of this magnitude may have setbacks and the DCC coordinates with agencies to make the proper adjustments.
In Alaska even the flightline is no match for the arctic climate sometimes. On Jan. 31, Soldiers from an early chalk prepared to board a commercial charter and as a result of the airfield conditions, several military personnel lost their footing.

Once discovered, DCC personnel informed the 354th Civil Engineering Squadron Snow barn, an organization that helps maintain airfield conditions. Later that afternoon a layer of gravel or sand was scheduled to be dispersed on the troublesome areas to and from the aircraft. This is only one example of the DCC placing people in action and solving problems not normally associated with flying missions.

Cooperation and organization make it possible for joint-force missions to be successful. The DCC ensures that all the parts and pieces of the mission and the key players involved know what is being asked of them and how it will contribute to the deployment.

When asked how prepared Eielson was for the Army's 30 chalks, the keys to success were flexibility and communication, said Master Sgt. Scott Young, 354th LRS logistics superintendent. You have to be ready for anything he added.

Airmen at the DCC were satisfied with their performance early into the Army deployment. Although there were delays, Airmen used resources at their disposal to ensure Army awareness of critical information affecting progression of deploying chalks.

We're pleased with the support we have been able to provide, said Sergeant Young.

"At this point we provide [the Army] everything they need to do their mission," he added.

In preparation for this operation, key players were reminded last week to anticipate a major movement through the JMC. Although Airmen may not have as much hands-on control as in training exercises, they will certainly be ready to support the Soldiers said Mr. Donovan.

This was one of the largest concentrations of people and equipment to process through the JMC in such a small window of time, said Mr. Donovan.

Airman directly supporting this mission readied themselves for standard operations as well as Army deployment missions. The JMC was under 24 hour operations for the duration of all missions related to the Army deployment and continued until the last mission left the base.

The DCC acts as a liaison between the Air Force and Army to coordinate appropriate assets for the move.

"The important thing is we have a good line of communication with the Army guys," said Sergeant Young. "They know to come in here and knock on the door if there are any questions. We know to go out there to see what they need."

Before the Army arrives, the DCC has everything prepositioned in anticipation of their needs.
"We have the groundwork down and all that is left to do is follow through," he added.

If problems arise, processing can come to a halt. In order to avoid obstacles that could affect the mission down range, the DCC utilizes every Air Force asset available to make sure that every chalk processed makes it through the JMC and leaves Eielson safely.