Combat Comm establishes Ramstein AOC coalition compound

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nickolas Stewart and Senior Master Sgt. Billy Weber Jr.
  • 1st Combat Communications Squadron
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The kick-off of Operation Odyssey Dawn March 19 catapulted the 1st Combat Communications Squadron here into an instant operations and support mode.

The 603rd Air Operations Center, the air operations nerve center for OOD needed to be set up to provide tactical communications throughout Europe, Central, and Africa Combatant Commands within a span of 24 hours. Combat Comm was ready to deliver.

The Ramstein unit commanded by Lt. Col. Keith Mueller responded to the support requests from the 603rd and was instantly thrust into base operational support mode for 14 nations, coalition commanders and their associated staffs, according to Lt. Col John Taylor, who served as the 603rd AOC Coalition "Town Mayor."

"There wasn't enough room in our facilities, so we had to move quickly," Colonel Taylor said. "Combat Comm was our answer."

Airmen from the 1 CCS responded, bringing tents and computers as they quickly bedded down the coalition command compound, dubbed "Wolfhound Town." The compound not only provided shelter support, but also command and control infrastructure via a robust network to support a myriad of nations. Coalition members from France, Great Britain, Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Qatar, Turkey and Spain all took up positions at the 603rd.

Led by Tech Sgts. David Dier and Matthew Visocky, "Wolfhound Town" was erected in just five hours time, complete with power and heating. The effort was amazing, according to 1st CCS Director of Operations Maj. Tim Ritchie.

"I am continually amazed at the teamwork and professionalism of the dedicated Airmen of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron," the Major said.

Tactical communications teams from the 1st CCS deployed in support of OOD simultaneously with the AOC effort; proving the unit's ability to support Team Ramstein at home while conducting its primary deployment mission forward in the theater. The effort was in keeping with the Combat Comm ethos, according to Colonel Mueller.

"We're all in ... whatever we can do, we will do," he said. "First in, last out--it's our tradition, it's who we are."