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Air defense support facility holds open house

  • Published
  • By Carol Carpenter
  • AFNORTH PA
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  A newly renovated air defense support building that houses the 702nd Computer Systems Squadron-System Support Facility at Tyndall was showcased in an open house Dec. 4.

Lt. Col. David Smith, 702nd CSS-SSF commander, said the main reason for moving to the new location was to allow space for a new gate system on the flight line side of the base. Their former building will be torn down, leaving an area to route traffic in and out of the base.

He said the new facility will be more operationally efficient and environmentally safer than their old quarters.

"The building was completely renovated and base civil engineers say it is about the best result they've seen from this type of restoration on Tyndall," Colonel Smith said. "It was a great team effort, with many individuals and organizations involved."

The 702nd CSS-SSF tests the software and hardware that is used by 1st Air Force, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Northern Command, Pacific Air Forces and Canadian Forces to monitor and prevent 9/11-type attacks and external air threats.

Most of the 38 military and civilian personnel who comprise the 702nd CSS-SSF are now occupying the recently refurbished building, which sits adjacent to the 601st Air and Space Operations Center.

One big advantage resulting from the long-anticipated move, Colonel Smith pointed out, is to allow closer proximity to the AOC, where most of the 702nd computer testing equipment is installed.

"Since we have over $10 million worth of testing equipment located inside the AOC compound, being closer to the AOC is a big improvement for our operations," he said.

The new building is also a healthier place for the computer support staff to work, said Colonel Smith, commenting that the new facility is "modern and mold free."

In the past year the 702nd CSS-SSF participated in more than 30 tests involving a computer software and hardware program called Battle Control System Fixed, which is used by 1st Air Force, NORAD, NORTHCOM, PACAF and the Canadian Forces to monitor external and internal air threats. The BCS-F program is also used to support response to natural and man-made disasters in the U.S. and Canada.

"The 702nd CSS-SSF is critical to our air defense program," Colonel Smith said. "Our unit strives to provide outstanding computer support, and we continuously seek new ways to contribute to the mission."