New mission equals added responsibility

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Gerald Sonnenberg
  • 932nd Airlift Wing
The 932nd Airlift Wing’s new mission of distinguished visitor airlift on board the C-9C is a challenge that the aircrews, flight attendants, maintenance teams, as well as a host of other wing people have successfully taken on. 

Because of this new mission, and the high level of individuals being transported, 932nd members were faced with the challenge of setting up something new to this unit—a command post. 

The newly established command post sits side-by-side with the active duty controllers in the 375th’s facility. 

A command post carries on a variety of roles as a notification center. They are notified when incidents happen on and off base, or when an in-flight emergency is declared. 
They take that information and notify the proper authorities so that a chain of events can occur. They are also responsible for tracking the progress of the daily flying schedule. They make sure headquarters is aware of each mission’s whereabouts. Information is sent to them, reviewed and then relayed to the appropriate people. 

For the distinguished visitor missions, once Air Force Reserve Command is notified of a requirement to fly one, they contact the 932nd’s current operations. Current operations accepts, and while coordinating with the command post, mission- manages the entire flight. 

“Once the mission is properly planned, we take over and maintain positive control over it,” said Tech. Sgt. Deza Rae Selby. “We are the go to center to help coordinate changes in the flight plan, mechanical problems, or any situation they (the flight) may encounter.” 

Sergeant Selby, an Air Reserve Technician, was the first of what is now five members of the 932nd’s command post and has been in the process of acquiring telephones and computers in their office space over the last four months. The other members of the 932nd team are Capt. Timothy Knechel, Master Sgt. Jarrod Drevalas, Staff Sgt. William Bassett, and Senior Airman Bryant Williams. The entire team is made up of new reservists just coming off active duty, or transferring from other Reserve units. 

Sergeant Drevalas recently moved to the area from Milwaukee and the 440th AW, which is slated to close. He was named the controller of the year in 2003. 

“Fortunately for us, the transition has been nothing short of awesome,” he said. “I knew coming in that I, and the controllers working with me, would have our work cut out for us. Our mission is to be a one stop shop communication center for each DV mission the 932nd flies,” the sergeant said. 

The number of 932nd personnel in the command post is anticipated to grow, as the overall mission grows to include C-40 aircraft. Eventually, six full-time staff and two traditional reservists will be coordinating missions. 

“We are proud to have hired the quality of the people we did as our first command post stands up,” said Col. Maryanne Miller, wing commander.