Radome Promotion

U.S. Air Force Colonel Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Luis Cairo, 55th Strategic Communications Squadron commander, tack stripes on to U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Steven Horn, 55th Strategic Communication Squadron Satellite Communication Facility systems technician, July 23, atop of a Wideband Enterprise Terminal antenna housed in a protective radome on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The promotion was a first inside the upward turned bowl of the antenna. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

AFWET at Offutt

An Air Force Wideband Enterprise Terminal stands poised under a protective covering on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. AFWET terminals communicate with a variety of satellites and keep military branches and other government agencies connected worldwide. The system is currently undergoing its third largest modernization led by a program management team from Hanscom AFB, Mass. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)

Commander, Airman make history in radome

Published July 24, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- For the first time ever, a radome, the golf ball-like structures housing antenna dishes, became the host for an Airman's promotion ceremony July 23.

U.S Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander, was the presiding officer over the event where U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Steven Horn, 55th Strategic Communication Squadron Satellite Communication Facility systems technician, was promoted.

"I am happy he was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to recognize one of the younger airmen," Horn said. "I am also proud that I have the ability to serve my country in such a way and I am glad that I have been blessed with such an awesome job."

The event coincided with the antenna's Annual Preventive Maintenance Inspection, so it presented a perfect opportunity not only for the ceremony, but also a tour for various leadership.

"During the PMI, the antenna is taken offline from the satellite it connects to, the antenna is then moved to face straight up," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Perri Means, 55th Strategic Communication Squadron Command and Control flight commander. "This position allows for us to exercise the antenna 360 degrees, climb inside of the dish to check for loose hardware and leaks, as well as, power wash it."

The upkeep of the dishes is vital to SATCOM's unique mission.

"We provide secure survivable command and control, voice, and data hotline capabilities to customers worldwide via satellite communications," Means said. "Our customers include - the President, Secretary of Defense, United States Strategic Command, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Combat Command, and North American Aerospace Defense Command."