Ground radio, a universal need Published Sept. 3, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Have you ever wondered who takes care of the handheld radios our security forces use? Or perhaps, who maintains the giant voice we hear when a thunderstorm ventures too close to base? The answer: 5th Communications Squadron ground radio technicians. Overall, these Warbirds maintain secure communications for everyone from the base commander to an SF response-force member. "Land mobile radios are essential to the 5th Security Forces Squadron mission for communication purposes," said Staff Sgt. Sarah Donis, 5th SFS police services staff noncommissioned officer. "Without them, we wouldn't be able to effectively communicate with our patrols." While the actual maintenance on these mission-essential radios is contracted to the radio manufacturer, Airman 1st Class Christopher Bell, 5th CS ground radio technician, said their role with the equipment is equally as important. "What we do is program the radios with the proper frequency encryption and keep them clean after a long post," he said. In addition to the LMRs, the ground radio technicians maintain communication through the public announce radio, otherwise known as the "giant voice." The giant voice is the base command post's quickest way of informing the entire base (especially crews on the flightline) of anything from a natural disaster to an exercise scenario. While keeping LMRs secure and the base populace informed are its primary focus, the ground radio shop performs other high-profile missions on a daily basis. "We also provide all the sound equipment for meetings and ceremonies needed to support the Minot mission," Airman Bell said. "For instance, everything from the speakers to microphones and sound boards Chief Clark [5th Bomb Wing command chief master sgt.] needs for his enlisted all-calls is provided by our shop." Another vital system these unsung warriors maintain is the stationary and mobile satellite-coverage equipment needed for secure communication from Minot AFB to the rest of the world. The ground radio shop doesn't just support communication equipment on base. These 5th CS Warbirds travel out to the 91st Missile Wing's missile alert facilities, whether rain or snow, summer or winter in order to keep communication equipment up to par. No matter what the job, every member of Minot AFB has a way of secure communication supported by the ground radio technicians. "Ground radio is interesting and satisfying," said Airman Bell. "I like it because I get to work in and out of the office, meet a bunch of people on base, and work with almost all the organizations from both the 91st Missile Wing and the 5th Bomb Wing."