Hammer A.C.E. provides Holloman with emergency communications

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  After a Holloman F-16 crashed northwest of Salinas Peak, New Mexico on Nov. 25, emergency personnel were called to the scene. Once such agency consisted of the Air Force's most elite communication specialists stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

The Hammer Adaptive Communications Element is a program made of the Air Force's leading communications specialists. They are designed to be deployable within three hours of notification for both military operations and humanitarian aid across the world.

"The Hammer A.C.E. operatives are always ready to go, 24/7, 365 days out of the year," said Maj. Christina P. Perez, 51st Combat Communications Squadron commander. "Our job is to organize, train and equip. The Hammer A.C.E. program provides communications in emergency situations. The support we provide makes a difference."

There are nine Hammer A.C.E. operatives in all the Department of Defense. They are divided into three teams of three - each member having a specific set of skills. For each team, there is a network operator, a satellite communications operator and a radio transmissions operator. All three members rely on each other's expertise in order to complete their mission.   

"We're a special purpose communication team," said Staff Sgt. Curtis Bonham, a Hammer A.C.E. operator. "We get called out to aircraft crashes, [Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive] situations and basically wherever else we're needed."

The operatives from Hammer A.C.E. are called out wherever they are needed as well as whenever their skills are required. And they are sometimes needed over the holidays.

This year, the three-man communications team set out antennas and terminals instead of turkey and pumpkin pie over thanksgiving, their attitude in the face of adversity demonstrates their character.    

"It's easy to serve when it's convenient," said Tech Sgt. Cornelius Pace, section chief and Hammer A.C.E. operative. "It's what you do when it's not convenient that proves and tests your level of commitment."

This close-knit group faces diversity often together and consider themselves more than a team.

"We're a family," said Bonham. "The sacrifices we make are worth it. I would do it all over again if I could."