Protecting those who protect others: Creech BDOC enables the fight against ISIS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
  • 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada --  
They have been called to be guardians of the base. They work weekends, holidays and around the clock shifts. They carry more than 60 pounds of personal protective gear, which can seem like a never-ending workout. They are the defenders always watching and protecting those who protect others.

The defenders of the 799th Air Base Group, Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC) controller, at Creech find themselves in an isolated location protecting one of the world's most sought after resource: the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise and its people.

Every security forces operation, no matter how big or small, must have a center point or hub to make sure all operations around base run smoothly.

"The BDOC is the heart of security forces operations," said Tech. Sgt. Tracie Bartlett, 799th Security Forces Squadron Operations NCO in-charge.  "The BDOC controls what's happening out on the base by gathering the information and dispersing it out so that everyone is on the same page."

This focal point proves crucial when it comes to securing assets in excess of one billion dollars of facilities, aircraft, equipment and personnel needed to fly 24/7, 365-day RPA operations in areas around the world.

The mission here brings one defender at Creech the greatest feeling of job satisfaction he's ever experienced.

"It makes me feel good to be able to do my job," said Senior Airman Dustin Brink, 799 SFS BDOC controller. "Not only are the crews here saving people, but we[defenders] are saving people as well by making sure the [RPA operators] are safe.  For me it's a giant circle, they are protecting all the boots on the ground and we are protecting them so that they can do that job."

Serving as the focal point for security is the main mission of the BDOC.  By maintaining control of a secured network for the dispatch of all the patrols on base, coupled with SFS Airmen, this facility ensures the base is fully secure at all times.

In addition, defenders man the emergency 911 system which proves vital since Creech is located approximately 45 miles from the nearest emergency care facility. This is a responsibility many might not encounter until much later into their careers.

"I honestly believe that despite having such a young squadron they are definitely professionals," said Bartlett. "I believe that they take their job very serious; they know that they support the mission and that their leadership supports them."

Despite having a young force of defenders protecting this one of a kind capability, what they lack in age they make up for in dedication and willingness to serve others.

"They are so eager to learn, eager to train, they sponge everything, positive and negative," said Bartlett. "They have the youth and the energy so I can only see this getting better."

Since understanding how each member plays their part in the mission is an important lesson to learn, defenders have partnered with operators from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing to ensure Airmen across the board understand the mission they directly support.

"I think we have a good relationship with the ops side so we swap Airmen every now and then," said Brink. "This lets us get a firsthand look at what the RPAs do on their side and gives their Airmen the chance to see what we do on our side."

With the average age of Airmen flying RPA combat missions being 18 to 24 years old, these Airmen and those of the 799 ABG have much in common. Building on this existing relationship has proved beneficial to completing the mission downrange.

Since the beginning of Operation Inherent Resolve, the RPA enterprise has been vital in the war against ISIS. Airstrikes have been responsible for damaging or destroying more than 10,684 targets that further deny the enemy the capability to inflict damage to America or its allies according to U.S. Department of Defense. (Current as of Aug. 7, 2015.)

Without the security and peace of mind provided by the BDOC and associated defenders, the success of RPA operations would be directly impacted.

"There's no room for complacency with the mission we support here," says Bartlett.

A challenge that's avoided by deliberately developing Airmen with education, proper training and their personal dedication to the mission at hand.

"As long as we make sure nothing happens to them [RPA operators], they can make sure nothing happens to the guys on the ground, and that, to me, is the most important thing we do," said Brink. "We have each other's back."