New towers aid base ground, air communication; keep Airmen safe

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Airmen from the 22nd Communications Squadron, Civil Engineer Squadron, and 210th Engineering Installation Squadron Air National Guardsmen, Minneapolis, Minn. wrapped up a month of construction on two new ground-to-air transmitter and receiver towers, Sept. 22.

Nestled in a secluded area past the base firing range lays the GATR site, which serves as the communication liaison between McConnell Airmen on the ground and the Air Force's aviators in the sky.

Previous ground-to-air transmissions broadcasted through five, wooden antenna poles but, the 22-year old, weathered poles posed hazards from age to Airmen who maintained them. With the installation of two metal antenna towers, these Airmen and engineers hope to eliminate much of that risk.

"These old poles were too dangerous to climb," said Staff Sgt. Doug McNeil, 22nd Communications Squadron. "Maintaining and replacing antennas on the 70-foot towers will be easier and safer than the 90-foot poles and at the same time, they'll increase the signal strength for communication capabilities.

The towers are also cost effective. Money once paid to off-base contractors to operate cranes and lifts for maintenance on the now condemned poles are eliminated. The project is now contracted through a specialized ANG squadron whose area of expertise has brought the team to an average of eight countries per year and countless temporary duty assignents throughout Southwest Asia.  

The eight-member team from 210th EIS arrived at McConnell in a convoy of specialty vehicles with over a million dollars worth of tools to piece together the towers and relocate communication elements off the rotting poles to their new location.

"We can put four to six multi-frequency antennas on each tower," said Tech Sgt. Patrick Kooiker, 210th EIS and project foreman. "The older poles could only hold a couple antennas at a time; Airmen had to swap out frequencies."

Previously, Airmen only had limited climbing equipment, such as lineman boots, to cinch to the wooden poles as they worked their way to the top to provide maintenance. Now, changing tower communication equipment will be safer because of additional climbing gear Airmen have available for the towers, not for use on the poles.

"The towers have wires running alongside its ladders," said Sergeant Kooiker. "At any given time, in addition to Airmen wearing their normal climbing gear, a metal clamp slips on the wire guide line and ensures no way to slip off the tower, keeping the climber safe at all times."

Despite the six days of work lost to bad weather, including high winds and flooding from excessive rain, the Airmen maintained a positive reception from working extended hours, through their weekends and together as a team.

"We like to see the finished product; you look at these towers and it's definitely something to be proud of," said Sergeant Kooiker. "The teamwork between the 20th EIS and the McConnell comm. squadron and civil engineering has been excellent."