Samurai Readiness Inspection: Command, control at its finest

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Desiree Economides
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  While Yokota Airmen respond to rapid response scenarios on the ground and in the air, the Commander's Action Team is the hub of the command and control structure, bringing together representatives from each agency on base, providing expertise in their subject.

The unique setup of CAT members allows the information to be relayed between the commander and every unit on the base fast and accurately. This flow of information also creates direct communication among each other unit, creating a synergy that strengthens the base's operation.

During the Samurai Readiness Inspection on March 6, Lt. Col. Shane Cohen, 374th Airlift Wing Legal Office, overheard a situation regarding simulated detainees and started to ask questions.

"Everything from what kind of bullets we use to the food we can provide to our allies... there is a legal analysis," said Cohen. "We fight and operate within the law and it is the legal office's job to educate those on the law."
To ensure the members of 374th Security Forces were prepared, the legal office developed additional training to remind all members the rules revolving on how the U.S. humanely treats the adversaries.

The training involved the Geneva Conventions, acceptable use of force, procedures on capturing prisoners of war and also operating in the confines of the inspection's rules of engagement.

"We are much more involved than what many think," Cohen added. "We are here as a force multiplier to assist the commander to accomplish the mission."

Every unit plays a vital role in the base's operation whether it's an exercise or a real world contingency, and CAT keeps the communication flowing between each other to ensure nothing goes wrong, whether it's over the phone or over the shoulder.

"It is absolutely critical to the command and control function of the wing to have agencies providing clear, concise and accurate information to their groups," said Maj. Rich McClintic, 374th Airlift Wing Chief of Wing XP & CAT director. "Without this the wing fails."