News

Exchange program bridges communication

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The continuing partnership between the United States and United Kingdom is evident inside one office of the 5th Combat Communications Group.

On duty at Robins for the past six months, Flight Lt. Thomas Gallagher is just another member of the team. His British dialect may be an indication that he's not local, but that's where the differences end. Gallagher, a member of the Royal Air Force, is part of the 5th MOB British Exchange Officer Program. He is the third officer to participate in the exchange program since it began in 2004, brought about from the efforts of what is known as United Architecture.

Airmen from the 5th CCG and their British counterparts with the 90 Signals Unit, of which Gallagher is a member, have participated side by side in joint exercises designed to ensure interoperability of communications equipment.

Those exercises have been held in locations in the U.S. and U.K. during a period of several years since 2004, and have allowed both sides to work together to have combined systems.

"When we deploy to operations together during a coalition fight, our systems can speak to each other," said Gallagher. "This ensures good coordination between our coalition partners in order to lead the fight together."

A few months into a three-year rotation at Robins, he is currently acting commander of the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron, whose current commander is deployed.

Prior to his arrival in Middle Georgia, Gallagher's many duties included working with the Tactical Communications Wing of the 90 Signals Unit in the U.K., which has similar responsibilities to the 5th CCG.

He has been on active duty with the RAF since 2006, with extensive officer and engineering training at RAF Cranwell.

Growing up in the small town of Winsford, it wasn't until he attended college that he was introduced to the military. He was a member of the Voluntary Reserve of the RAF for three years while in college in Leeds, and was a member of the Yorkshire University Air Squadron - similar to ROTC in the U.S.

While in the RAF, he had extensive interaction with American forces. After participating in United Architecture 2009, he deployed to his first operation in Afghanistan in a communications role.

While in Kandahar, he worked closely with the U.S. Air Force, specifically members of the 5th CCG. He also deployed to Camp Bastion, co-located with Camp Leatherneck, a U.S. Marine Corps. base in Afghanistan, where he was able to work with Americans on air traffic control and airfield operations. Exercises with the 5th CCG influenced his decision to apply for the exchange program.

"These exchange programs mean that for individuals like myself, we can experience an understanding," he said.

Gallagher has been warmly welcomed by his colleagues at Robins. He added he's especially intrigued by the base being surrounded by an active regional community, describing that many RAF bases can be in remote locations.

He expressed that from a military standpoint, both countries share the same mindset. Though there are differences in language, food, and sports he said that all in all we share the same worries and concerns. When it comes to ever-changing technology in the communications field, maintaining a good rapport between the two countries, working as a team and understanding each other's processes will be important.

"There are very few places now where we deploy as a force that is not a coalition or joint environment," he added. "Therefore, understanding each other and being able to communicate is absolutely critical. As new technology emerges, we need to ensure those interoperate."

Col. Kevin Krause, 5th CCG commander, agreed.

"Throughout my career, the coalition environment has been very important," said Krause. "Having the ability to interface directly with an officer from the Royal Air Force is a tremendous benefit to us. Everything we do is all about teamwork."