Base telephone operators provide support

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Patrick R. Hyde
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Have you ever wondered who answers the call when you dial the base operator? Here at Incirlik you speak to real people instead of recordings, and Dale L. Clark, 39th Communications Squadron, chief telephone operator (ManTech employee), says the number one goal of all his operators is to provide the best customer service.

"The skills I look for (in an operator) are does the operator assist customers to the best of their ability, are they customer oriented, polite and do they communicate well with people," said Mr. Clark. "As chief telephone operator it is my job to oversee the overall job performance of assigned operators. I write out instructions and file reports on the day-to-day activities of my operators," "I also step in and fill one of the slots as operator when manning is minimal."

Base operators work a 12-hour shift and two operators are on duty at all times. The base switchboard operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week regardless of holidays or down days. It takes a great deal of integrity to be a base telephone operator.

"We're here to help you the best we can. At times we may not be able to help due to extenuating circumstances, but we ask you to be patient and we will get back to you," said Mr. Clark.

Base operators use an automated system to retrieve numbers for customers quickly. But, experienced operators can often quote numbers off the top of their heads.

"We have a new telephone console called T-Metrics which is an automated database with all the numbers that are currently in use on base," said Mr. Clark. "Most of our operators, having worked here for over two years, simply have some numbers memorized. For other numbers, they can type in the pertinent information and the number pops up on the screen." A base phonebook can also be found on the source.

If you are new to Incirlik and want to make a morale call you can call the base operator by dialing 114. Morale calls are Monday--Friday from 7p.m.- 9a.m., and all day on weekends, U.S. holidays and wing down days. Please provide the operator with your name, last four of your social security number, the number you are calling from and the base you want to be connected to.

If you have any questions or can't find a number on your own, please dial information at ext. 113 and the base telephone operators will be on the other end of the line ready to serve you.