548th ISR Group opens doors to Airmen, families Published April 15, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Taylor Workman 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs Beale Air Force Base, Calif. -- Team Beale families had the opportunity to get an inside look at the day-to-day operations of “the eyes and ears of freedom” during an open house hosted by the 548th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group on April 13, 2016, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The open house featured introductions by the group commander, a tour of the facilities, and a breakout session into individual squadrons, after which family members were shown their Airman’s individual workspace. “It’s all about the families and friends in our Airmen’s lives,” said Col. Jacob Holmgren, the 548th ISR Group commander. “Family is one of the key aspects of resiliency. I think we owe it to them to give them a peak under the tent. This open house helps bring it all together for them.” Once the formal portion of the tour concluded, Airmen were given the opportunity to show their work spaces to family members and describe what they do. The explanation offered both clarity for families, and a feeling of transparency for the Airmen. “When I worked as a medic my wife was able to visit regularly and she was well aware of what I did,” said TSgt Victor, 548th Operations Support Squadron section chief. “This is the one time of the year that she is able to see what I do here at Beale.” The unique mission of the 548th ISR Group is to collect, exploit and disseminate information to combatant commanders in support of operations around the world. “Our Airmen protect our forces downrange, we are their eyes in the sky,” said Lt. Col. Shawn Walrath, the commander of the 9th Intelligence Squadron. “They trust us with their lives. Our mission is truly remarkable in that it is essential to the success of our operations and the safety of our troops.” 548th ISR Group Airmen often work long hours in low-light environments surrounded by hundreds of computer screens and miles of fiber optic cables. While working within this intelligence community, Airmen are often not able to discuss the various stressors they encounter at their job. “He comes home and I want to ask him how work was but he cannot talk about it,” said Kat, the wife of a 48th Intelligence Squadron employee. “Here at the open house I get to see what he does.” With tours and formalities concluded, families left the 548ISR Group with a better understanding of how their Airmen spend their days. “At the end of the day, we all do this for our families and our nation’s safety,” Holmgren said.