LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
More than 30 spouses took part in a rare tour of the 497th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group here Sept. 28, 2011.
The 497th ISRG and its subordinate units are responsible for providing near-real-time, high confidence ISR data reporting to joint force and component commanders. In other words, they use imagery analysis gathered from surveillance to give details to the "boots on the ground." Because lives hang in the balance based on the reports coming out of the 497th, it typically takes a top secret security clearance to even walk in the door.
However, in an attempt to provide insight into what happens at work on a daily basis, the 30th Intelligence Squadron's Key Spouse Program arranged for the spouses of its members to take a look "behind the vault door" in the ISR world. The event also included briefings from multiple agencies at Langley AFB who offered advice for handling problems by providing details on the services they offer.
Lt. Col. James, 30th IS commander, said the demand for ISR has grown exponentially over the past few years. He spoke at length about the importance of family to the mission. He said one of his goals was to help the spouses understand the unique responsibilities of the intelligence community.
"We are known as that big building on the other side of the base with no windows; we are a big mystery," said James. "We'd like to be able to provide details about what we do here and demystify our operations... Your husbands and wives are responsible for translating the data we gather into usable information."
The 30th IS is organized with a command section and a Directorate of Operations that includes 10 subordinate flights. The spouses were able to get a look at some of the offices in the facility, as well as a walk-through of the massive server room which houses the computers that process all of the data from surveillance platforms throughout the world. They were also able to get a glimpse of the operations floor where intelligence analysts monitor live video feeds.
The 30th IS has more than 600 members, including active-duty personnel and civilians. Its area of responsibility covers roughly the entire Middle East. When not involved in combat operations, ISR personnel are stepping up to the challenge of aiding in humanitarian missions, such as the recent tsunami and earthquake in Japan.
James said the work they're doing is saving lives, adding, "The continuous feedback we get from our personnel in the AOR is that we are doing a fantastic job."
Because the work they do is classified, personnel in the intelligence community face the unique challenge of not being able to discuss what they do at work with their spouses. Whether they've been staring at a computer screen for 12 straight hours, or involved in a targeted strike, it can be hard to decompress at home when they don't have the option to share.
"We have a uniquely stressful situation here. While we come to work in Virginia, we are engaged in other countries throughout the world," said James. "I like to think that I'm a pretty good communicator at work; but if you ask my wife, she would tell you I don't do such a great job at communicating at home."
James said he hoped to connect the spouses to the resources available in the community, such as the first sergeant, the 30th IS chaplain, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, and the Key Spouse Program.
While the toddlers who came spent time in the daycare center, the spouses heard from Ann Gregory at the AFRC. She gave details on Military Family Life Counseling and deployed family monthly events. Capt. Robert Duplease, 497th ISR Group chaplain, provided details of available counseling services, suicide prevention training and marriage retreats.
Master Sgt. Edward, 30th IS first sergeant, gave details on what his role in the squadron is: to be responsible for the morale, welfare and conduct of all the enlisted members in the squadron.
Adrion Bell, one of the key spouses, grew up as a military brat, married a military member and recently separated from active duty herself. She said the spouses' group isn't a gossip circle or a private club, but a way to make personal connections.
"The hardest role I've ever found myself in is being the spouse of a deployed member," said Bell. She said inevitably, there are things that go wrong when she wished her husband was not deployed.
"In the intelligence community, there are a lot of things that can't be discussed," said Bell. "We are here to help alleviate that isolation."