Radar site beefs up security, showcases latest upgrade to battle management PEO

by Justin Oakes
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

6/11/2014 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Battle Management program executive officer Steven Wert toured the PAVE Phased Array Warning System, or PAVE PAWS, radar site at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., last month and examined the facility's newest security upgrade.

While the PAVE PAWS radar is owned and operated by Air Force Space Command, the Force Protection Branch -- a Battle Management team based out of Hanscom AFB, Mass. -- manages the updating and installation of the security system that protects the radar.

"After seeing the results of the installation first-hand, I am confident that the Airmen protecting this critical asset have the necessary tools to get the job done," said Wert.

Beale is one of only two active PAVE PAWS radar sites within the United States; the radar's primary purpose is to detect and track sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The system is also able to track and detect earth-orbiting satellites. Information gathered from PAVE PAWS is relayed to missile and space control centers, the National Military Command Center and U.S. Strategic Command.

With U.S. military installations operating on a global level, integrated base defense security systems, or IBDSS, play a crucial role by helping security forces members protect the nation's critical assets.

"This was a large undertaking," said 2nd Lt. James Ellis, the project manager for the update. "An installation of this size occurs only so often on any given base. However, what we brought to the table has a significant impact to our space defense and ultimately safeguards the nation."

Over the past two years, the security system at the West Coast site has undergone major upgrades and received the latest in intrusion detection technology.

The IBDSS is now equipped with high-resolution digital cameras, up-to-date computers and video management systems, resulting in a modern-day alarm management center. In addition to these features, the new system also includes 24-hour recording of all video feeds.

The new IBDSS is operated by the 9th Reconnaissance Wing Security Forces Squadron and allows Airmen to instantly access the cause of any intrusion alarm.

"An upgrade in security was much needed," Wert said. "The PAVE PAWS radar safeguards the U.S. from nuclear and space threats -- protection of this asset is vital."

Following the tour of the PAVE PAWS radar facility and an Air Force Distributed Common Ground System site, another system sustained by battle management teams at Peterson AFB, Colo., and Robins AFB, Ga., Wert returned to Hanscom where the Force Protection office was already hard at work on their next project.

The team is currently updating the PAVE PAWS radar site at Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass., which is expected to be completed in July.