Communicators host command exercise

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Richard Curry
  • 507th ARW Public Affairs
Tinker AFB, Okla. --  Air Force Reserve communications specialists from across the country and one as far away as Ramstein AB, Germany, came to Tinker Air Force Base June 5-18 to participate in JUMP START 06 TRAINING. 

The AFRC-sponsored training was hosted by the 35th Combat Communications Squadron at the Glenwood training area in Midwest City. 

JUMP START training provides specialized hands-on training for communicators through realistic scenarios involving setting up tents and equipment and then training on the equipment they would be supporting in the field. The 35th Combat Communications Squadron proved to be an ideal host for the training. 

“A major challenge to people in the communications field is to remain proficient in an ever increasing range of equipment. Our field is constantly changing as new technologies evolve. A lot of the equipment owned by the 35th CBCS is very expensive and not every unit has the equipment we do. For some of the Airmen attending this training, this may be the first time they’ve operated equipment that they’ve only been able to read about in technical manuals,” said Lt. Col. Pete Peterson, 35th Combat Communications Squadron commander. 

It’s because of equipment expense and changing technologies that AFRC began the JUMP START program in 2005. This is the second year in which AFRC has sponsored this training and the first hosted by the 35th CBCS. 

“By bringing reservists to the equipment to train and refine their abilities, they build confidence in themselves and we can certify that training. Every time we host a JUMP START, we’re improving the overall readiness of the communications field throughout the command,” Colonel Peterson said. 

For the approximately 34 Airmen, both officer and enlisted, attending the first week involved classroom academics covering networking processes, equipment setup, and to study operating systems firsthand while completing a series of troubleshooting activities. Advances and new procedures in systems integration were discussed and practiced. Members also practiced with support equipment such as generators, cooling systems and tent construction. 

The second week involved practicing what they had learned while operating under a realistic field training scenario. 

“I believe everyone attending walked away from this event with a better understanding of the systems they would operate in the field and a stronger confidence in their ability to get the job done,” Colonel Peterson said.