MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Being a Combat Crew Communications Airman is more than just talking to pilots and looking at maps. It’s ensuring that no communication entailing sensitive information falls into the wrong hands.
McConnell's combat crew communications’ mission is to ensure that every pilot on McConnell’s Total Force Team has the required equipment and materials for secure communications during flying operations.
“Wherever aircrew go with sensitive material, they have to make sure they keep it secured and away from enemy hands,” said Master Sgt. Mary Martin, 22nd Operations Support Squadron combat crew communications flight chief. “The moment our adversaries have access to our communication security, our means to safely and securely talk over the air becomes compromised.”
One of the most crucial materials needed by aircrew are Worldwide Flight Information Publication bags. These bags hold an average of 74 FLIP books that give pilots all of the information they need during a flight, which includes authorized airports, maps and terrain data.
These books also provide aircrews the correct radio frequencies to communicate with the local air traffic controllers.
“Our Airmen work diligently to guarantee the material and equipment that goes out with the aircrew are current, accurate, and easy to use,” said Martin.
These Airmen not only protect vital information for all McConnell aircrew, they ensure the continuation of mission success.