USAF’s New C2 System Improves Situational Awareness, Crew Coordination

A squadron of US Air Force completed its first live mission using the AN/TYQ-23A command and control (C2) system that provides considerably more situational awareness and allows better coordination among crew members.

“After four years of planning, the 752nd Operations Support Squadron (OSS) has successfully completed their first live mission on the AN/TYQ-23A Tactical Air Operations Module weapons system at Tinker Air Force Base,” USAF announced on Sunday.

The 752nd OSS received the C2 system in September 2019 after beginning the acquisition process in the summer of 2015. The ground-based weapons system allows squadron members at Tinker AFB to provide command and control to both live and simulated aircraft from around the country. Only 18 of these weapons systems exist in Air Force inventory and Tinker AFB is now one of only four active-duty bases to have this equipment.

To prepare for the weapons system, the 752nd OSS had to attend weeks of training on how to operate the equipment. The squadron also added 10 maintenance personnel and underwent extensive renovations to support the necessary equipment and technology.

“We took an old and outdated building and turned it into a control facility where we can control missions using radios, radars and data links from all over the United States,” said Brian Zbydniewski, 752nd OSS CRC systems integration technical advisor.

The first live mission occurred December 4 in coordination with the 77th Fighter Squadron out of Shaw AFB. The mission began with connectivity and correlation checks to ensure the weapon system from Tinker AFB could connect to the needed databases. Once connected, the 752nd OSS was able to monitor an aerial refueling of an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 77th FS.

With the new system, the 752nd OSS plans to conduct two simulated missions per week and two live missions per month. The new system allows the squadron to coordinate with flying squadrons across the country, to include the E-3 Sentry, or AWACS, at Tinker AFB.

"Having a dedicated weapon system at Tinker AFB allows us to develop and validate standards, technical orders, and improve training, in order to better support the active duty air control squadrons,” said Maj. Christopher Tegtmeyer, 752 OSS chief of exercises and plans and crew lead for the mission. “This system ensures that whenever we receive the call, our Airmen are trained and prepared to efficiently and effectively execute the mission.”