DSAREX Communications at ABIA

1 March 2007
AUSTIN BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – The Apollo CS, Group III, Texas Wing teamed up with the Kittinger Phantom SS and the Pegasus CS for the DSAREX of 16-18 February, 2007. For me, it all started when Capt Benavides and I awoke at 0300, though it took a while for me to actually “wake up.” To be honest, I kept nodding off, but breakfast and a quick shower did the trick. I jumped into my uniform, packed my gear, and thought, "Today is gonna be a real challenge.

Finally ready to roll, we drove to the Krispy Kreme's at La Frontera, next to I-35, because Capt Benavides said that any extra cadets who wanted to come would meet us there that morning. There were no cadets. "Never mind," said Capt Benavides, so we bought a dozen donuts and took off.

About 25 minutes later we arrived at Georgetown Municipal Airport to pick up the CAP van and the radio equipment. Once there, Capt Benavides had me run through the necessary inspection categories and everything checked out, so we headed over to the hangar to retrieve the radio equipment. We loaded everything, from inter-squad radios to HF long-haul antennas, and soon were on our way to the Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

When we arrived, we had trouble finding our mission post, so we stopped at the TxDOT Flight Services Building and met up with 2d Lt Nicholas Capo. Yes. This was the right place, so we confirmed with the squadron at Georgetown that we were on site. We parked the van next to one of the hangars in the rear and began surveying the area for potential setup sites. This was quite challenging, as almost all of the ground was covered with concrete. We had two options: either the grass field between the tarmac and the taxiway, or the picnic area outside the flight services site.

The picnic area looked attractive: it had some scattered trees and a few tables, and we could use it. The downside was that if we needed a food or restroom break, we would have to walk all the way back through the gate and into the building. That left the field area, completely clear of obstacles, right next to the building. At first we were not sure we were allowed to set up there, but the Kittinger Phantom Squadron commander assured us that it was OK. So we drove the van into the field and began setting up the HF antenna.

About five minutes later, I noticed a truck heading our way. I could tell by the logo on the door that it was airport staff. The driver pulled up next to our van and Capt Benavides went over to talk to him. Then I start thinking, “Oh, no! Are we in trouble with airport security now?” A few minutes passed. I couldn't really tell what they were saying, because I was monitoring the radio. Then, an APD police car drove up next to the truck. Now I was getting really worried. As it turned out, we didn't have an AOA – Aircraft Operations Area – badge or an escort. But in the end they let us pack up our gear and exit the field. I can't tell you how badly that could have gone. We could have been detained for hours while waiting for the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to arrive, so we got off really easy.

With that out of the way, we turned to the one option left – the picnic area. We drove out there and used what available space we had to set up the HF antenna. By then, the aircraft had already launched. At first we had some trouble joining the network, but about 10 minutes later we were fully operational. Our first contact was Camp Mabry. Eventually we contacted Kerrville Mission Base. After a while we set up a VHF antenna to improve communications with the aircraft. Things were going smoothly. But then, a of couple hours later, when Kerrville mission base decided to switch channels, we couldn't raise them any more. We managed to talk to Sphinx Net Control a few times, but after that we couldn't reach them either.

We spent another couple of hours without HF radio communications. Early that afternoon, c/Amn Anna Haworth arrived and helped monitor the aircraft on the VHF radio. Eventually, we got the HF line working for a while. then lost signal again. At this point, Capt Benavides decided to contact Kerrville mission base by phone, by late afternoon. At one point, one of the flights from our staging area spotted a large smoke plume and requested that it be reported, but other than that, it was relatively quiet.

About 2 hours later, both our flights landed at the airport within 30 minutes of each other – we were finally done. We checked in with Kerrville Mission Base via phone and terminated operations. We then packed up all the communication gear and swept the area for trash or unaccounted items. After that, we left ABIA on our way back to Georgetown.

Overall, it was a lot of work, but it was also a really fun and eventful day. Despite some setbacks, it was a great day.













Photos: [1] C/SAmn Justin Benavides checks the radio. [2] & [3] The antennas erected at the picnic area [4] C/SAmn Benavides maintains communications during the SAREX [5] 2d Lt Nicholas Capo takes down a message. [6] C/Amn Anna Haworth, near the end of the day.

Article and photos submitted by C/SRA Justin Benavides