Mission control moves to command post Published Sept. 10, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Candice Allen 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 446th Operations Support Flight mission control section will relocate to the McChord Command Post and create one command post here per the One CP initiative. One CP will have active-duty and Reserve Airmen working side-by-side controlling Team McChord's assets together. "The good thing about mission control moving to command post is that there will be someone at command post who understands Reserve issues," said Lt. Col. Christopher Von Thaden, former deputy of operations for the 446th OSF. One CP is a total force initiative mandated by the former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, for the consolidation of command post and command and control elements operated by Air Force Specialty 1C3X1. "The ultimate goal is to become seamless," said Master Sgt. Laura Elliott, supervisor of mission control. "We are going to become one with active duty." This approach will provide the Air Force with CP controllers who support both the installation and tenant unit commanders. "CP policies will be evaluated and altered to ensure we are providing adequate support of both wing commanders," said Maj. Graham Hicks, former 62nd Airlift Wing Command Post chief. Mission Control will move four full-time and one traditional Reservist positions to the command post. These positions will still fall under the 446th Airlift Wing's chain of command. The 446th OSF training section will absorb the remaining mission control positions. The majority of UTA training will be conducted at the command post. This will enable more extensive, hands-on 1C3X1 training for Reservists. "The command post has an excellent training program," said Sergeant Elliott. Though the base's command post function is consolidating, not all mission control duties will move with the positions. "Normal notification and reporting duties will be consolidated into the single command post. Mission launch duties will remain with a separate agency, like a squadron, similar to what is already being accomplished in the 62nd Airlift Wing," said Major Hicks. With merging operations, the command post will become one team supporting the C-17 combat airlift mission here.