Communications Airmen prove vital to Regional Command-West mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • Regional Command-West Public Affairs
HERAT, Afghanistan --  Imagine a small group of elite Soldiers on patrol in the mountains of northern Herat province coming under heavy attack by a much-larger group of insurgents.

What if these outnumbered and outgunned Soldiers called back to Camp Arena for close-air support but found no answer on the receiving end?

In a struggle for survival, envision them using their radios, telephones and then electronic transmissions - and all attempts to reach back to base failed.

Without the small team of specialized U.S. Airmen at Camp Arena, operations may as well regress to smoke signals and indication mirrors, because any modern communications lie in their capable hands.

"The services we provide allow leaders to manage and maintain the mission of U.S. forces across the west," said Staff Sgt. Matthew S. Haas, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Detachment West technician, and deployed from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Detachment-West is responsible for supporting joint-American forces, as well as Italians, Spanish, Afghans and many other coalition nations in the region.

A small team of five communications Airmen are vital to detachment operations as they create an auspicious environment favorable to base-wide progress, and are the backbone of communications.

In addition to Sergeant Hass, who hails from Elk Grove, Calif., the following make up the team: Staff Sgt. Joseph T. Perry, deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Senior Airman Royce D. Bluford, deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.; Senior Airman Shawn D. Peterman, deployed from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; and Airman 1st Class Neil H. Langgaard, deployed from Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala.

Lt. Col. Travis W. Tankersley commands the J6 directorate and is RC-West's communications officer.

According to Airman Langgaard, there's always a significant threat to cyber security here.

"We are in place to deter threats and create a boundary between attackers and users," said Airman Langgaard, who hails from Guthrie Center, Iowa. "At the same time, we are tasked with maintaining the user's ability to communicate effectively and timely."

Keeping network speeds at maximum speed while keeping cyber threats at bay takes effort.

Recalling days where he started work at 8 a.m. and didn't finish until about 6:30 a.m. the following morning, Sergeant Hass admits that the J6 team is incredibly busy, but takes heart and relishes in a dream for Afghanistan's future.

"In the next five years, I'd like to see less of a [coalition] presence, with Afghans maintaining security and stability for the country," he said.

Prior to his arrival at Camp Arena, Airman Peterman, who hails from Burkburnett, Texas, was on the combat-drive team at New Kabul Compound, in RC-Capital.

Airman Peterman said he misses the daily convoys and interacting with Afghan civilians but knows that he is supporting civil-military cooperation, development and kinetic missions here by ensuring secure and reliable communications for servicemembers in the western region.

Like Sergeant Hass, the Texan also has dreams for Afghanistan's future, and envisions "a completely new self-supporting country without the need of NATO forces to keep things secure," he said.

Airman Peterman left the camaraderie he enjoyed during combat patrols in Kabul to work extensive hours, sometimes with just the companionship of wires, cables and circuit boards.

However, just like in Kabul, he knows his team here has his back and has proven to be effective.

"As a team, we get the job done quick and right," said Airman Peterman. "We support each other and know that whatever we have to do to get the job done, we'll do it."

Soon the J6 team will re-deploy back to their home units, but their commander will remain for several more months - a thought that Colonel Tankersley admits is shocking.

"These guys are workhorses and truly dedicated to this mission. They'll be sorely missed by most of this camp," said the lieutenant colonel, citing the work ethic his team had and the commitment they showed as truly a testament to what Airmen are capable of.

"As American Airmen we truly are the best and brightest of our population," said Colonel Tankersley. "I'm proud to have commanded such a professional team and look forward to continuing to see their hard work help shape Afghanistan's future."