ribbon-cutting ceremony

Members of the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron stand in formation before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bldg. 560 here July 1. The ceremony commemorated the 14th ASOS’s arrival at their new home in the recently renovated Bldg. 560, across the street from the 18th Air Support Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kris Levasseur)

ribbon-cutting ceremony

Lt. Col. Anthony Abernathy, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron Commander, salutes Col. Peter Donnelly, 18th Air Support Operations Group Commander, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bldg. 560 here July 1. The 14th ASOS moved into the recently renovated facility after 33 years in their former building in the Joint Special Operations Command Compound. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kris Levasseur)

ribbon-cutting ceremony

Col. Peter Donnelly, 18th Air Support Operations Group Commander, Lt. Col. Anthony Abernathy, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron Commander, Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Lindsey, one of the first 14th ASOS members and Airman 1st Class Kyle Fairfield, the youngest member of the 14th ASOS, prepare to cut the ribbon of their new building July 1. The 14th ASOS’s mission is to support the 82nd Airborne Division with air and space power expertise and integration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kris Levasseur)

14th ASOS receives post-BRAC home

Published July 7, 2010
By Senior Airman Kris Levasseur
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- After 33 years of utilizing a prefabricated building sent to Pope from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., members of the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron are moving into a recently renovated facility across from the 18th Air Support Operations Group.

The new location in Bldg. 560 will consolidate the 14th ASOS's equipment and personnel into one location, near their 18th ASOG headquarters here at Pope.

"We are moving into the new facility this month; it is going to be our home post-BRAC," said Lt. Col. Abernathy, 14th ASOS Commander. "Hopefully this building will serve us well for another 33 years while we continue to support the 82nd Airborne Division on Fort Bragg."

The 14th ASOS integrates airpower into the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division ground commander's war fighting capabilities. They maintain an alert commitment to deploy on extremely short notice for contingency operations. The squadron performs day and night parachute and helicopter assaults with division, brigade and battalion commanders to provide on-scene air planning expertise. The squadron controls employment of combat aircraft flown by all services in support of more than 15,000 troops.

"Throughout the Army there are air liaison officers and tactical air control party members embedded with their units from our squadron," said Capt. Michael Wheeler, 14th ASOS Air Liaison Officer. "Our members deploy as support for the 82nd Airborne by communicating with aircraft and other Air Force units to make sure the soldiers have the close air support they need during combat."

The new facility is 24,000 square feet, allowing the 14th ASOS to have all of their equipment and personnel under one roof. Because of the expanded facility, the 14th ASOS will be able to respond to emergency situations without having to pick up equipment from several locations around base.

The new facility boasts several offices, a fitness center, vehicle and equipment storage areas, locker rooms and even its own armory.

"Once we have completely set up our new facility, it should significantly increase our capabilities," said Captain Wheeler. "Having all of our resources in one location will be a big help, but also having the room to house all of our personnel and even possibly more in the future will allow our partnership with Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne to continue for many years."