563rd Rescue Group trains in new rapidly-deployable Rescue Operations Center

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Members of the 563rd Operations Support Squadron trained here Thursday on the construction and maintenance of the rapidly-deployable Rescue Operations Center (ROC) that uses mobile units called Base X.

The mobile unit allows rescue personnel, for the first time, to conduct a wide range of command and control rescue operations in austere environments around the world.
Base X is a rapidly-deployable mobile infrastructure that is custom built to support field operations in remote and sometimes harsh environments. The infrastructure, a folding-frame shelter that is lightweight and durable, comes equipped with an integrated support equipment for field deployments and for equipment mobility.

"Knowing that we have a much broader control of our working environment and how our technical operations support will unfold makes us as a rescue operations center a more tactical force," said Major Brett Hartnett, the 563rd Operational Support Squadron assistant director of operations. "Our training and the plug-and-play mechanics of the Base X system provides us with the flexibility we need to operate in austere environments with minimal support."

The mobile units allow rescue personnel to maintain their own potable water, electricity, heating and cooling, power and distribution systems for many months. The mobile units also comes equipped with tactical elements that can support tactical operation centers, command posts and mobile surgical hospitals. Prior to using these complex shelters, rescue personnel used hard shelters that often required the support of civil engineer personnel.

Base-X Inc. conducted a two-day training sessions for trainers with 15th Operational Support Squadron personnel who will then train other rescue members on the construction and maintenance of the Base-X Expedition System on a quarterly basis.

"After talking to the Base X team and viewing the pictures of the system, I thought it would be a very daunting system to set up," said 2nd Lt. Caitlin Cima, 563rd Operational Support Squadron intelligence officer. "But after we trained and set up the entire system, we found it to be a perfect match for the ever-changing environments that we operate in."

Because of the system's modular elements, a team a 10-15 people can configure the system to fit any available space or environment in about 20 minutes.

563rd Rescue Group personnel conduct a range of recovery operations including rescue of military personnel from uncertain or hostile environments, and civilians during combat, disaster and relief operations. 

The group is a geographically-separated unit of the 23rd Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

The 563rd RQG ROC was developed as a result of "lessons learned" during exercise ANGEL THUNDER and is the only one in existence. This cutting edge concept was first deployed during the 2008 hurricane season where it served as the operational command and control for tactical rescue operations during hurricanes Gustav and Ike and was credited with 27 lives saved and 5 assists.

(23rd Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article.)