Team Aviano welcomes 606 ACS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew M. Satran
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Seven months of blood, sweat and tears of joy culminated the unveiling of the 606th Air Control Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy on Sept. 15, 2016.

The squadron began their relocation from the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany in February 2016. The unit was stationed at Spangdahlem since Jan. 1, 1994, but was moved as a part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation, joining the 31st Operations Group.

“The move to Aviano has been smooth because Aviano has the facilities and infrastructure we needed,” said Tech. Sgt. Donald Hester, 606th ACS radar technician. “Some of us had been to Aviano in the past so we were familiar with the area.”

It’s no surprise the unit was able to relocate quickly-one of their mission sets is to “Deploy worldwide within 72 hours.” However, it took more than 72 hours to move the squadron from one base to another, and required the cooperation of several Aviano units.

“First, we had to get an area ready and approved by the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron,” said Hester. “Since our assets require security, we also got in contact with the 31st Security Forces Squadron for barbed wire.”

The 606th ACS is the only control and reporting center in the United States Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa that employs various assets such as radar systems, radar shelters, and antennas for live tactical control of aircraft.

“The 606th ACS is a mobile, tactical system capable of rapidly deploying command and control capability anywhere on the globe,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Gibney, 606th ACS commander. “This capability allows planning and execution of theater air operations.”

After the 606th ACS’s arrival, Hester’s team had to reassemble and rebuild some of the equipment after it arrived at Aviano.

“All of our assets travel in shipping containers,” said Hester. “We had to build a gas fitting to get our radar online, fabricate signs to be in compliance with regulations and hand-built replacement cables.”

Hester and his team played a significant role getting the facilities up and running according to Master Sgt. Casey Harrell, 606th ACS ground radar systems NCO in charge.

He attributes the squadron’s successful relocation to the 8-man team: Tech. Sgts Donald Hester and David Matthews, 606th ACS ground radar technicians, Staff Sgts Nathan Coley and Jacob Carlson, 606th ACS ground radar technicians, Airmen 1st Class Wade Cook, Jessica Alejandro, and Matthew Flores, 606th ACS ground radar apprentices, and Airman Joshua Griffith, 606th ACS ground radar apprentice.

“When the team got to Aviano, they didn’t have a typical 30-man shop,” said Harrell. “They innovated ways to get the area built and did it well.”

With the 606th ACS becoming operational at Aviano, their future endeavors will support the 510th and 555th fighter squadron’s air power.

“This was the first of many steps in the 606th ACS’ process to begin permanent operations from Aviano,” said Gibney. “It’s a great example of the amount of work and integration across the 31st Fighter Wing and the 606th ACS.”