Breaking into The Vault: 548th ISRG unveils new DGS-2 heritage room

Members of the 548th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group celebrated the grand opening of their new heritage room, The Vault, at Distributed Ground Station-2 (DGS-2) on base, March 5, 2019.

The Vault was chosen as the name for the heritage room in honor of DGS-2’s mission to provide airpower intelligence and analysis, according to Master Sgt. Elizabeth Green, 548th ISRG staff superintendent. It is meant to celebrate the work DGS-2 Airmen, also called sentinels, do to keep this nation safe and secure.

The tradition of a heritage room comes from flying crews and exists as a way for Airmen to recognize the long history of their squadron.

“I started my career in the flying world of the Air Force and saw the value a space for informal mentorship and camaraderie provides,” said Col. Scott Nahrgang, 548th ISRG commander, “It allows for unofficial communication across the command chain.”

While most heritage rooms are for a single squadron, The Vault is planned to be for the group as a whole and reflect the unity of their mission.

“We are part of flying missions but in our own way, and we want this room to reflect that,” said Captain Jessica Liard, 548th ISRG executive officer, “We wanted to find a way to promote unity and celebrate the heritage of DGS-2.”

The Vault will celebrate the long history of DGS-2’s mission and all who have contributed to it. Newcomer Airmen and veteran contractors, some of which have been here for over thirty years, are equally welcomed to help shape The Vault into what being a part of DGS-2 means to them.

“I want The Vault to impress on Airmen the importance of four squadrons working together to complete a mission,” said Nahrgang, “I hope they start thinking of themselves as a site instead of as individual squadrons.”

On top of networking and building site cohesion, The Vault is meant to provide relaxation and a space where Airmen can relax and laugh with each other.

“We wanted a space for Airmen to meet,” said Green, “A place to decompress before you head home after you worked a really tough mission.”

“Everyone is in the right frame of mind to embrace the idea of establishing our own identity and culture for DGS2 and I hope it increases our sense of community.” Liard said.