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Trailer innovation enhances mission readiness

  • Published
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Utility trailers typically haul items from one location to another, but for one group of Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, these trailers are improving the unit’s mission.

The trailers, utilized by the 20th Communications Squadron, are distinguished by their “reptilian” call signs, Gator 1 and Gator 2. The completed Gator 1 serves as the installations public announcement system trailer, providing audio support for base-wide events and activities, and Gator 2 will serve as the base’s emergency response communications trailer when it is completed later this year.

The two 60 sq. foot trailers will provide 20th CS Airmen with the means to quickly deliver an audio and emergency response presence should it be required.

“Communication capabilities are critical during emergency situations,” said Staff Sgt. John Goodhile, 20th CS radio frequency transmissions journeyman. “During crises all we can do is grab our land mobile radios, and carry them out to the impacted site.”

Now, with the addition of the support trailers, the 20th CS is better prepared for any event or emergency, said Goodhile.

Because the trailers will be readily-available for use, Airmen can train to respond quickly to any scenarios that may occur stateside or in a deployed environment, including operational readiness exercises.

To enhance the squadron’s efficiency, the emergency response trailer, has been loaded with air-to-ground communication modules and land-mobile radios which are used by emergency responders and Airmen to communicate between vehicles or on foot.

“We are trained already to be able to use all the equipment in (Gator 2),” said Senior Airman Matthew Lemmer, 20th CS radio frequency transmissions journeyman. “Should an event arise we would hitch it up to one of our trucks and go.”

“Although it (Gator 2) is currently under renovation, we have no doubt that this trailer will make an impact to the base populace,” said Goodhile.