Homestead ARB's Command Post receives significant upgrades

  • Published
  • By Ross Tweten
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Homestead Air Reserve Base's Command Post recently received significant upgrades to its facility.

Among the many improvements, the base Command Post received a new state-of-the-art console and Installation Command Center as well as an expanded amount of space to conduct its operations.

The new console boasts new secure phones, new monitors and displays, and plenty of additional space. Three command post controllers can now work side-by-side while having effective overview of all the Command Post's displays and monitors.

"The new console has plenty of room for controllers to have their checklist opened and any other tool needed to accomplish their job," said Senior Master Sgt. Oscar Lopez, 482nd Fighter Wing Command Post superintendent. "Updating our console and the Command Post will help our controllers be more efficient at what they do."

The new ICC is roughly five times the size of the previous version. It will feature a myriad of monitors, secure phone lines, and work stations needed to tackle any contingency the base encounters.

Among its many functions, the Command Post executes NORAD Active Air Scramble Orders, Battle Stations Orders, and Runway Alert Orders. It coordinates with on-base activities such as aircraft maintenance, transient alert, weather, and emergency response. During peace time, the Command Post makes notifications to base personnel for weather warnings and advisories.

According to Senior Airman Cynthia Pichardo, 482nd FW Command Post controller, one of the more valuable aspects of the new Command Post console is the touch-screen dispatch console for single-touch conferencing and the real-time collaboration of critical contacts - regardless of location and regardless of whether emergency preparedness personnel and others are communicating via landline, air-to-ground, mobile phone, land mobile radio, or satellite communications. The Command Post upgrades also enable open-line broadcasting, digital recording, easier system management, and additional alarm monitoring and sensory capabilities for quicker response to natural disasters, security breaches, and other emergencies.

"Our new console is pretty impressive," said Pichardo. "It allows us to simultaneously work with multiple agencies on base, significantly increasing the productivity of the Command Post's dissemination and response time of critical and time-sensitive information."

Lopez notes the valuable assistance and expertise from the 482nd Communications Squadron on the project of upgrading the Command Post.

"Our communications squadron was on top of things from the beginning all the way to the end of this project, working with the contractors to ensure everything went as smoothly as it did."

Overall, the base Command Post quadrupled in size, its cooling system is more environmentally friendly, and it's set up to serve Homestead ARB and its growing population for decades to come.

"Our new Command Post is every bit like an active duty command post, operating 24/7, 365," said Lopez. "And with the current technological improvements, this command post will be ready to accept any and all challenges the future might bring our way."