24/7 Vigilance: inside Maxwell's Command Post

Published Dec. 16, 2025
By Senior Airman Tanner Doerr
Maxwell Air Force Base Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --

At the center of Maxwell Air Force Base’s emergency response and daily operations, the Command Post houses a small, 24/7 team ensuring commanders never miss a critical moment.

This team's efforts are vital to upholding the operational stability that allows the base to function seamlessly, from addressing everyday issues to coordinating responses during major crises.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Devar Hunt, 42d Wing Support Agency emergency actions controller, performs a radio check for the Command Post at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Nov. 25, 2025. The Maxwell Command Post serves as the installation’s central communication hub, ensuring commanders remain informed and prepared to respond to any situation or emergency around the clock. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tanner Doerr)

“In the broader view, we are foundational,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Carter, 42d Wing Staff Agency Command Post noncommissioned officer in charge of Command and Control Operations. “Air University is the intellectual heart of the Air Force, developing the future leaders. Our mission is to secure the safety of the Maxwell AFB population and provide continuous operational support necessary for readiness.”

Given Alabama's reputation for rapidly changing weather conditions, from sudden thunderstorms to the occasional tornado, the command post's preparedness is all the more critical.

“Our primary mission is to make sure the commander is always kept up to date,” Carter said. “Whether it’s a weather emergency, a medical response, a security incident, or anything that requires a fire or emergency response, we gather the information, write reports and ensure leadership has what they need to make decisions.”

As one of the few 24/7 operations on base, the command post also serves as Maxwell’s first line of communication with higher headquarters. Controllers are responsible for receiving and disseminating urgent directives, alerts, and notifications that shape local response actions.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Carter, 42d Wing Staff Agency Command Post noncommissioned officer in charge of Command and Control Operations, runs through system checks on C2IMERA at Maxwell Air Force base, Alabama, Dec. 12, 2025. The newly installed UNIFY telephone system and integrated radio suite, now operating across three consoles at both the Primary and Alternate Command Posts, serve as the wing’s nerve center by enabling controllers to seamlessly interface with UHF/VHF and land mobile radios simultaneously. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tanner Doerr)

"We're especially proud of our Total Force Integration," Carter said. "Even with turnover in the active-duty side, we brought together Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard members to maintain our mission readiness. Turning a challenge into a success is something we are very proud to lead."

The Command Post team also focused on bolstering essential infrastructure at Maxwell. Carter emphasized their priority is protecting the safety and resilience of the 45,000 personnel on base, adding that the unit helped resolve a nearly two decade-old deficiency in emergency power systems supporting critical agencies.

This dedication to problem-solving is echoed by Senior Airman Devar Hunt, 42d WSA emergency actions controller, who is also filling the role of NCOIC of operations reports.

“I’ve been leading our reporting program for the past year,” Hunt said. “What I find most fulfilling is the opportunity to solve major problems that directly impact base readiness.”

Their attention to detail also revealed broader vulnerabilities. Hunt explained that they were the first to discover a flaw in the base’s AtHoc alert system, which ultimately uncovered a wider command and control weakness across the Air Force. He added that helping to fix an issue affecting more than 60 installations was a point of pride, demonstrating how a small, determined team at Maxwell could significantly contribute to safeguarding the entire network.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Noah Roubicek, 42d Wing Support Agency Command Post emergency actions controller, performs a radio check at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Nov. 25, 2025. Roubicek brings a unique perspective to the team, having recently retrained into All-Domain Command and Control from the Avionics career field at Luke AFB, and has already made a significant impact on the unit, earning a Letter of Appreciation from the River Region First Sergeants Association for his outstanding composure and professionalism while coordinating multi-agency support during a tragic accident in October. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tanner Doerr)

"We inherited a significant technological gap: our radios and communication systems were almost 20 years old,” said Hunt. “We secured over $415,000 to modernize our console system, eliminating this vulnerability and establishing reliable communication for over a thousand critical training missions, including MH-139A flights."

Maxwell’s role as a FEMA staging location for the southeastern United States adds to the command post’s responsibilities during natural disasters. Their reporting played a vital role during the national responses to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton assisting in providing $31 million in relief to 5,000 residents.

The Command Post’s comprehensive approach allows Maxwell’s Emergency Actions Controllers to keep the installation informed and mission-ready around the clock, whether by coordinating emergency response, relaying critical information, or modernizing communication systems.