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Typhoon forces comm squadron to move operations

May 5, 2003

by Master Sgt. Jon K. Scudder
Tandem Thrust 03 public affairs

U.S. NAVAL FORCES MARIANAS, Guam - Flexibility is often regarded as being the key to airpower.

However, living up to that mantra proved to be another matter, especially when Supertyphoon Kujira and its 150 mph winds forced the Air Force's 206th Combat Communications Squadron to move its Guam-based operations center from a tent to a hardened facility during Tandem Thrust '03, a multi-national exercise taking place in the Marianas Islands.

The 206th, an Air National Guard unit based at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, knew it was in store for some long work hours when the unit's weather thresholds and associated gauges were telling them that relocating expensive electronic equipment was a necessity due to the approaching storm.

Finding a safe location for the operations center was the first order of business. After some research, the group located an old galley at U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, commonly referred to as "Big Navy," that filled the bill.

With the typhoon making its trek towards Guam, Maj. Renee Blake, 206 CBCS commander, knew that the clock was ticking when she called her team of noncommissioned officers together.

"I sat down with our work center leaders and prioritized placement and movement of equipment," said Major Blake, referring to the 15,000 pounds of equipment to be moved into the galley and the 35,000 pounds of palletized and rolling stock that needed to be warehoused.

Two of those she talked to was Tech. Sgt. Keith Wilson, NCOIC, Power Production, and Tech. Sgt. Karl Morris, 206 CBCS Deployment Manager.

"We decided to split into teams and attack several areas simultaneously," said Tech. Sgt. Wilson. "Some worked on taking down the tent, some worked on moving transit cases, and some worked on prepping the rolling stock and palletized equipment for movement to a warehouse provided by the base."

As the 206th worked furiously, members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28, better known as the Seabees, took notice and offered their assistance.

"It was a joint effort," said Tech. Sgt. Morris, who works logistical issues daily. "We couldn't have been ready for the storm without the Seabees," he added, referring to the forklifts, flatbed trailers and other specialty items that were needed.

"Each time we asked for help, EO1 [Equipment Operator Petty Officer 1st Class Bobby] Davis and the rest of the Seabees did 300 percent more than we asked. They certainly lived up to the Seabees' reputation of 'can-do' spirit."

For the Seabees and their command master chief, Master Chief Constructionman Bob Evans, it was all in a day's work.

"Our real mission here is supporting those in need, and the Air Force needed us to help them move their gear," said Master Chief Evans. "It was an important task, and we were glad to help them out with their needs."

After 18 hours of continuous work, the move was done. Fortunately, the capricious Kujira headed south, sparing the Northern Marianas Islands and averting any further problems for the 206th. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)