NetLink team successful making computers in capsule a reality

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Jessica Holmes
  • 490th Missile Squadron
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Thirty-one Team Malmstrom Warriors from the 490th Missile Squadron, 341st Operations Group Commanders Support Staff, 341st Missile Operations Squadron and 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron rapidly installed a $170,000 computer system in 14 Minuteman-A Launch Control Centers. The combined efforts of this multi-functional team resulted in providing direct internet connectivity between the LCCs and the base Local Area Network, allowing uninterrupted access to data handling programs, office and work center files. They also won the 1st Quarter Professional Team of the Quarter for their efforts. 

The state-of-the-art NetLink system, in conjunction with the Twentieth Air Force's 72-hour alert transformation initiative, will provide missile combat crews with the resources and capability to accomplish administrative tasks while posted for three-day alerts.
To begin this installation, the Netlink team organized all system components and developed a multi-faceted order of events that allowed the team to cover more than 5,000 square miles in a safe and secure manner. The NetLink team implemented an installation schedule similar to code change operations that called for staggering team arrivals at each site which allowed for all installation actions to be completed in only 14 days. The team spent more than 280 hours traveling to Missile Alert Facilities and installed more than 2,300 feet of fiber-optic cable at each of the sites. They also removed more than 5,000 pounds of original quality-of-life entertainment equipment from each site and replaced it with the new, state-of-the-art system. 

Team members were also careful to secure electronic connections in each capsule to comply with strict hardness and electromagnetic protection requirements. 

In addition to completing all installations, the NetLink team identified, troubleshot and resolved component difficulties with such precision and success that Twentieth Air Force asked the team to assist in documenting the issues and creating a fault-flow process for troubleshooting future system anomalies. 

As a final action, the installation team leaders developed end-to-end lifecycle sustainment costs for use by Air Force Space Command in future budget sustainment calculations. This will ensure the NetLink system is a viable information tool for many generations to come. 

The cradle-to-grave cooperation and teamwork displayed by these Team Malmstrom Warriors was key to transitioning the Twentieth Air Force Commander's vision of "computers in the capsule" from concept to reality.