Military

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- Around 150 people from the 606th Air Control Squadron here have been tasked to deploy in support of the U.S. Central Command and future operations as may be directed.

Members of the 606th ACS spent the week conducting last-minute checks of their packaged equipment to ensure deployment readiness.

The ACS is a self-sufficient unit capable of deploying anywhere and setting up command control operations within 24 hours, said Lt. Col. Scott Fischer, 606th ACS commander. Once set up, the unit remains operational 24-hours a day providing aircraft and commanders with theater air space control.

"The communications capabilities we provide, and the fact that we're a constant presence, is what our commanders can depend on us for," said Fischer, who took command of the unit in February.

"We're responsible for force marshalling," said Master Sgt. Patrick Wilson, 606th ACS weapons director. "We basically deconflict."

"Deconflicting" involves directing aircraft to where they need to be, the weapons director said. Aircraft may need to be directed to different locations to accomplish a given mission or they may just need to be placed at different altitudes so they don't run into each other.

The unit provides an air picture for commanders to make real-time decisions, said Wilson, who is no stranger to deployments. His previous journeys include Operations Allied Force, Southern Watch and counter-drug missions in South America.

As he embarks on another deployment, and in light of the current world political situation, the master sergeant is well aware of what may lie ahead.

"No one wants to go to war, but it's something that I signed up to do," said Master Sgt. Wilson. "I'll do whatever President Bush asks me to do, whenever he asks me to go do it."

Other airmen are considering the challenges of the tasking.

"It's a little nerve-racking," said Senior Airman Jessica Mashburn, 606th ACS satellite communications system technician, whose husband, Staff Sgt. Gary Mashburn, is also a member of the unit and is deploying. "But I think he's ready and prepared to do the job. I have faith in him and his troops."

But, no matter what the deploying airmen face, they are primed to go, Wilson said.

"My wish is to make sure that if we do have to execute a mission, that we execute it to the best of our ability and I bring every single one of my guys back to Spangdahlem safely," he said.

-- USAFENS --