Historical icon removed from DCGS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. C.J. Hatch
  • 9th Intelligence Squadron
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Transportable Medium Earth Terminal was removed from its location, May 27, at the 548th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group here.

The TMET, a giant satellite dish, was a landmark of the 548th ISRG for 14 years. Its history, however, dates back to the mid-90s.

"The TMET was originally installed in 1995 where the Modularized Interoperable Surface Terminal tracker is currently located," said Master Sgt. Vonetta, 48th Intelligence Squadron radio frequency transmissions systems NCO in charge. "At that time, the

Distributed Common Ground System was also located near the flightline."
Since its installation, the TMET has been a vital part of operations for the Distributed Ground System-2 operated by the 548th ISRG.

"The TMET was utilized for maintaining the Threat Net (Early Warning Audio) link to the U-2," said Col. Tim Sipowicz, 548th ISRG commander.

The TMET helped Airmen perform training for deployments before it was dismantled.

"The TMET was utilized by the maintenance training center to train radio frequency transmission personnel spanning the DCGS enterprise by providing hands-on satellite communications' training for pre-deployment," Sipowicz said. "Since 2007, the TMET has been used to train more than 280 personnel accounting for nearly 16,000 hours of training."

This was not the first move for the giant dish. During its time, the TMET has seen its share of trips to depot for upgrades.

"The last time it went to depot was in 2001 for routine maintenance and equipment refurbishing," Vonetta said.

The TMET has become a historical part of the 548th.

"The TMET is a historical icon of Beale Air Force Base and the 548th ISRG," Sipowicz said. "The large Satellite Communications dish is a visible part of the group footprint from DGS-2's early days. The TMET is the only kind of its type in the Air Force inventory, it has been designated the 'Beale TMET' according to the Air Force technical order."
Even though the TMET is removed, the capabilities still exist in a new system called the Tri-Band Field Terminal.

"The training classes that used the TMET will be expanded once the [new system] arrives and is integrated into our maintenance training center," Sipowicz said. "This system includes a TFT which is a smaller, more tactical version of the TMET. These new opportunities will allow radio frequency transmissions airmen to train like they fight on operational systems currently used in deployed areas and develop skills needed for future Air Force operations."

It creates room for growth and newer equipment with this historical icon removed.

"The removal of the TMET from the DGS-2 campus represents the closing of one very important chapter to make way for our future," Sipowicz said. "A new building will occupy the old footprint of the venerable TMET. With this new structure will come cutting edge technologies and room to accommodate our growing mission sets."