Command cell ensures communication flow

  • Published
  • By By Capt. Jennifer Gerhardt
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Six Reservists from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron ensured the timely set up of command and control cell for exercise Pacific Lifeline in Hawaii Jan. 26 to Feb. 9.

The Reservists make up the Aeromedical Command Cell which provides command and control for aeromedical forces to include direction, control, discipline, morale and caring for deployed forces. 

During the set up, the first issue addressed was communications. Each island had different capabilities, so the command cell worked out a solution quickly to keep communication flowing. 

"Communication is vital to what we do and would be the first thing addressed no matter where we hit the ground," said Master Sgt. Rita Herrington, 446th AES. "Without communication, the mission would obviously be more difficult ... whatever the aeromedical people require, they identify it to us and we meet their needs."

During a real-world event, the command cell tstrives to be set up as close as possible to the aeromedical forces working. Once the team hits the ground, the first priorities are personnel accountability, communication, and site selection.

"It is somewhat of a whirlwind with multiple competing demands," said Lt. Col. Pat Pound, medical readiness commander for the 446th AES. "We have to make sure they have the resources to do the job - whether it is people, time or equipment."

The most challenging, but number one task for the command cell is ensuring the right information gets to the right people at the right time. This will be vital once the exercise kicks off.

"Once the exercise starts, the most important thing for us is to ensure the safety and well-being of the aeromedical forces," said Colonel Pound. "These aeromedical teams are the best in the business and we want to make sure they have all the resources they need to do their job." 

Pacific Lifeline is a total force exercise designed to exercise the military's ability to rapidly arrive and leave a trained, equipped team anywhere in the Pacific in response to a humanitarian assistance or disaster scenario. More than 900 Department of Defense personnel are participating in the exercise.