CP unseen, unheard guardians of Misawa

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  "We're here for the base, to watch out for and over," said Tech. Sgt. John Hamilton, 35th Fighter Wing Command Post

The 35th FW/CP is a conduit of information. The office receives messages from all levels --from the top echelons at Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense to the base-level leadership and agencies. They often are the ones to receive public inquiries.

CP is also responsible for the scheduling and care of all transient air flow in and out of Misawa to include: helicopters, heavy lift aircraft, refuelers and their cargo. This office also keeps tabs on Misawa's fighter jets while here on the ground or soaring through the air to a destination away from base.

However, the name CP has a slightly more critical mission requirement. They know before anyone else when the storm clouds of war are converging on Misawa Air Base.

"CP is the office that receives emergency actions messages," said Sergeant Hamilton. "We are the ones that will receive the first notification of a threat or situation worldwide that will change Misawa's defense condition, alert condition or force protection condition. After we authenticate these messages, we alert the wing commander so the base can protect the community and itself."

Being a conduit of information was never more prevalent then during the events of March 11, 2011.

"Even before the earth stopped shaking the controllers on duty: Lt. Col. Tony Jarry, Master Sgt. William Scott, Airmen 1st Class August Brown and Richard Kelly and I were ripping through quick reaction checklists notifying U.S. Air Force command and control offices and the base community about what had just happened," said Sergeant Hamilton.

Moreover, CP played a crucial role during Operation Tomodachi and Operation Pacific Passage where they were responsible for ushering in and out more than 300 aircraft loaded with approximately 600 tons of cargo and 3,000 passengers, said Master Sgt. William Scott, 35th FW/CP.

An event like the earthquake on March 11, is a common occurrence per United States Geological Survey. But if it an event such as this happens again, Misawa can rest assure that it has a unseen, unheard big brother always on guard.

"I'm extremely proud of my Airmen," said Sergeant Scott. "They train and are tested all the time to stay proficient. So, when it came time for them to act on March 11 it was seamless; it was 'boom, boom' let's get it done."