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Fairchild operators connecting people

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jocelyn A. Ford
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  "Fairchild Operator 14" are familiar words to anyone calling Fairchild for information. There are six full-time operators on base covering three shifts for operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The supervisor makes up a seventh body and fills in when needed.

There are several reasons why the operators love their jobs; Operator 14 stated, "being the familiar voice to those deployed" gives her great pleasure. Deployed members can make a base-to-base call and get connected with loved ones here.

The operators also work hand-in-hand with the Airman & Family Readiness Center with the Hearts Apart program. This program allows family members of deployed Airmen the opportunity to call their loved ones once a week. To set this up, the person getting deployed must provide the A&FRC a copy of their orders, along with a number that they can be reached at while deployed. Then, when the family member wants to call their loved one in theater, they just dial the operator and tell them they wish to make a Hearts Apart call.

With Mother's Day fast approaching, the operators are gearing up as well. Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for the base operators. During a normal weekend the operators channel approximately 1,000 calls a day. Last year on Mother's Day they took in approximately 1,400 calls from troops calling home and expect about the same this year.

The operators stay rather busy taking on average 1,700 calls during the weekdays, but don't seem to mind at all. "People connection is our job," said Operator 14. "We love our job, and wouldn't trade it for anything."