18th CS keeps Kadena communicating

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  There's no disputing the importance of the many ongoing missions on Kadena. With its numerous air frames and responsibilities, coupled with its strategic location, Kadena is considered to be one of the most essential air bases in the Pacific region.

However, if it wasn't for the 52 individuals working in the 18th Communication Squadron's cable and antenna systems, it would be nearly impossible for the nearly 12,000 individuals in the nearly 40 squadrons on Kadena to accomplish their respective missions.

"Communication is the key [to mission success]," said Staff Sgt. David Hollars, 18th CS cable and antenna systems supervisor. "We provide the backbone cable infrastructure for [classified and unclassified] internet and telephone services. We also maintain antenna systems on the base as well, so all of the air traffic, or ground-air, [communications] use our antennas to talk and control the vehicle traffic on the taxiways and runways."

The cable and antenna systems section is responsible for rerouting essential communication cables through each office and maintaining pre-existing lines on Kadena, whether they have to climb 90-foot poles, or drill through 18-inch-thick concrete walls.

Airman 1st Class Romeo Rivers, 18th CS cable and antenna systems technician, said with all the different jobs on base, if 18 CS didn't provide the work for the systems, Kadena would be forced to use contractors, which would take funds from the other squadrons.

"Since we do all the installing and all of the premise wiring for all of the buildings, [without us], none of that stuff would be up, or it would have to be contracted out, which gets much more expensive," said Airman Rivers.

Tech. Sgt. John Sengsavang, 18th CS assistant noncommissioned officer in charge of cable and antenna systems said the career field isn't just essential to Kadena's mission, however.

"It's essential to the Air Force mission," Sergeant Sengsavang said. "We are the communication backbone. Without us, there won't be communication from 'a' to 'b.'"