'Cobra' always ready to strike

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  They've been in every major conflict in the Pacific for 60 years, work through base exercises until every last jet is on the ground and control all U.S. assets in the Republic of Korea - but in "Cobra Country," it's business as usual. 

But what exactly does the business of the 621st Air Control Squadron entail? 

"We ensure the safety of flight, and ensure the fighter squadrons meet training objectives and standards to support armistice conditions," said Tech. Sgt. Julia Dickinson, 621st ACS weapons director instructor and evaluator. 

Through keeping the fighter wings trained, the controllers of the 621st keep themselves combat ready, said Sergeant Dickinson. In fact, they are one of only five combat mission-ready career fields in the Air Force, which includes jobs like pararescue and security forces. They must be ready to deploy anywhere at any time, keeping U.S. assets on target, in the fight and getting them back home safely. 

At Osan they accomplish this mission out of the Hardened Tactical Air Control Center. When entering Cobra Country, controllers are greeted by rows of computer screens. Using this new computer system, the controllers can see and hear the air traffic over the Republic of Korea. They keep U.S. pilots informed of air traffic flow and, during wartime, where the enemy is coming from. 

In the room representing the 621st are five main positions: 

1. The mission crew commander, who coordinates the flow of the mission, working with senior operations duty officers. 

2. The mission crew commander technician, who coordinates with the fighter squadrons, and in the case of civilian air traffic, with Incheon Airport. 

3. Weapons directors and air weapons officers, who control all U.S. assets from all branches and all platforms. They talk directly to the pilots and give them the information they need to win the war. 

4. The senior director, who coordinates between the weapons directors and the mission crew commander. 

5. The data systems technician, who makes sure all information runs smoothly. They are essentially the eyes and ears of the team. 

"We basically have the pilots the entire time they're in the air until they get home," said Sergeant Dickinson. "And we rely on everyone to get the whole job done." 

It's not just the 621st that's in Cobra getting it done, she said. 

"We get to work hand-in-hand with our Korean (Air Force) brothers and sisters and coordinate with each other," said Sergeant Dickinson. "We also work with other services, including the 3rd (Battlefield Coordination Detachment) Patriot Battery." 

With all the computer equipment in the room, Cobra also has a communications Airman on the floor. 

"We have them here at all times," said Senior Airman Jami Theiss, data systems technician instructor. "It can get pretty busy in here, so if something goes wrong with the tactical display or our radios, we have them to call on." 

Even though there is not a 51st or 7th in front of their squadron name, the 621st ACS actively takes part in Osan's mission, making sure the fighter squadrons can ably execute combat operations. 

"We spend 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on this scope," said Sergeant Dickinson. "The Cobra is always up." 

In a small career field at a shop of only 75 people, there can be long hours and busy weeks. But the bond they share is the love of their job and their respect for each other. 

"We are always each other's wingmen, whether it's at home or at work," said Sergeant Dickinson. "Once a Cobra, always a Cobra." 

"This is a great squadron and a great mission," said Lt. Col. Fred Bacon, 621st ACS commander. "We're controlling airplanes. It doesn't get any better." 

(The 621st Air Control Squadron turned 60 years old August 2006. It has been based been based in five different countries, beginning as the 621st Tactical Air Control Squadron in the Philippines in 1946 and ending up at Osan in 1976.)