Land Mobile Radio keeps Incirlik connected

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Timothy Taylor
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  "Tango 1 this is Tango 2," "Go ahead Tango 2," "I'm glad we have these radios to keep in contact while we monitor the flight line," "Roger that Tango 2 but that's
39th Communications Base Radio, they keep us connected while we perform our day-to-day duties."

Incirlik's 39th Communications Squadron Base Radio shop consists of eight personnel and three sections; LMR, contracting and frequency management.

Part of LMR's day to day responsibilities is ensuring all LMR systems are listed and accounted for.

"We have to keep a watchful eye on all of our equipment, especially when we're dealing with $5,000 hand held radio, you don't just want things going missing," said Senior Airman Melissa De La Torre, 39th CS Base Radio ground radio technician.

Incirlik's Base radio records and maintains 1,500 LMR units that are used in day-to-day duties across the base. With each unit costing about $5,000, base radio is responsible for more than $7,000,000 in equipment.

LMR is extremely important to Incirlik for many reasons, but the most relevant use is time efficient communication and the ability to put bodies where they're needed, when they're needed.

"Our main use for LMR is keeping direct contact with the ambulance dispatcher so ambulance personnel can receive updates on the patient's status before arrival," said Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Gestring, 39th Medical Group NCOIC of primary care branch.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Brady, 39th CS NCOIC base radio said one important thing to remember is LMR and cell phones are not for discussing secure or classified information.

"It is very important to remember that terrorists may be illicitly monitoring our LMR frequencies, so ensure classified or sensitive information is not transmitted," said Capt. Nicholas Petren, 39th Air Base Wing force protection officer.

The frequency management section is an important section that works hand in hand with LMR and coordinates with the host nation if there is any frequency interference that needs to be dealt with.

"I support the base commander on any frequency matters we have on base," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Raines, 39th CS Base Radio Installation spectral manager. "For instance, when the base needs to acquire a new frequency it's a very complex
four-month process that has to be authorized through the Turkish military."

The Frequency management section recently reduced their used frequencies from 42 to 24. By almost halving the frequencies used, LMR has allowed 18 frequencies to be used by the Turkish military.

Land Mobile Radio is an essential aspect of military communication and is widely used by many military organizations on a day to day basis. Without LMR responding to emergencies, patrolling the base and performing daily tasks would not be possible.