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53rd CAOS Demand Force Team Alpha certifies technicians

  • Published
  • By Jasmine Braswell
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  

 

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Butler, left, and Staff Sgt. Dan Alejandro Bernardo, 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technicians, sustain equipment on the Deployable Tactical Air Navigation system at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Butler, left, and Staff Sgt. Dan Alejandro Bernardo, 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technicians, sustain equipment on the Deployable Tactical Air Navigation system at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026. The team received an order to re-deploy from one assigned airfield to another to simulate a rapid relocation due to threats, which built experience through repetition for Demand Force Team Alpha. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Jasmine Braswell)
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The 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Demand Force Team Alpha assessed their ability to employ and sustain their team’s assigned unit type codes and equipment using a Deployable Tactical Air Navigation System in a simulated deployed environment during a certification event at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21.

There were role players used as spectators taking photos for social media and a fuel re-supply unit used to transport fuel to another site on the airfield. By simulating operations, the exercise builds experience needed to operate independently.  

This certifying event proves small and agile teams of Airmen can turn the lights on and maintain safe operations in contested zones. 

Airmen from the 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Demand Force Team Alpha execute an after-action debrief during a certification event at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026.

53rd CAOS Demand Force Team Alpha Certifies technicians

Airmen from the 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Demand Force Team Alpha execute an after-action debrief during a certification event at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026. The Demand Force Team operated the Deployable Tactical Air Navigation system unit to assess their ability to employ and sustain their team’s assigned unit type codes and equipment in a simulated deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Jasmine Braswell)
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Tech. Sgt. Tyler Muldowney, left, and Staff Sgt. Muhammad Garba, right, 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technicians, direct a vehicle to load fuel to transport to another radar site set up on the other side of the airfield at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026.

53rd CAOS Demand Force Team Alpha Certifies technicians

Tech. Sgt. Tyler Muldowney, left, and Staff Sgt. Muhammad Garba, right, 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technicians, direct a vehicle to load fuel to transport to another radar site set up on the other side of the airfield at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026. The fuel re-supply ensured the surveillance radar at the other site remained operational during a certification event. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Jasmine Braswell)
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Master Sgt. Kristian Penafiel, 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technician, simulates a spectator taking photos for social media during a certifying event at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026.

53rd CAOS Demand Force Team Alpha Certifies technicians

Master Sgt. Kristian Penafiel, 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technician, simulates a spectator taking photos for social media during a certifying event at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, July 21, 2026. The operational security inject ensured the team remained vigilant and knew how to handle situations where a curious, friendly person would ask questions during a certification event. (U.S Air Force Photo by Jasmine Braswell)
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