Don't look down
Senior Airman Alex M. Abrego, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, climbs an operational tower at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. Abrego maintains a yearly maintenance log for all climbable antennas and structures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Don't look down
Senior Airman Alex M. Abrego, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, scales an operational tower at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. Abrego said safety is a top priority, and technicians are required to wear proper safety gear including harnesses and hard hats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Crazy triangle tower pattern
The middle of one of the 89th Communication Squadron’s operational towers is shown during a monthly quality control check at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. The tower stands 280 feet high. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Airman with tower behind him
Senior Airman Jacob Glass, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, poses in a bucket truck at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. The technicians use the trucks for a wide range of jobs including trimming trees that interrupt antennas and towers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Working from down under
Senior Airmen Mario Cardone and Josian Rivero-Thomas, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technicians, monitor the safety of technicians as they check operational towers at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. Each tower must undergo monthly quality control checks to ensure operational effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Working reflection
Senior Airman Josian Rivero-Thomas, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, prepares to oversee fellow technicians as they climb a tower at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. The technicians are responsible for maintaining 65 antenna systems across JBA and two remote locations, valued at $27 million. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Climbing down the tower
Senior Airman Alex M. Abrego, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, climbs an operational tower at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. Abrego and his fellow technicians are responsible for the uninterrupted reliability of the Air Force High Frequency Global Communications System, Navy Nuclear Command and Control, and NASA/SpaceX mission support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
Super tall tower
Senior Airman Alex M. Abrego, 89th Communication Squadron cable and antenna systems technician, glances at an operational tower at a remote location near Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 19, 2019. Abrego and his fellow technicians are responsible for the uninterrupted reliability of the Air Force High Frequency Global Communications System, Navy Nuclear Command and Control, and NASA/SpaceX mission support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook)
By Senior Airman Alyssa D. Van Hook / Published Feb. 22, 2019
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md,
Cable and antenna systems technicians with the 89th Communication Squadron here are responsible for the maintenance of the 65 antenna systems across JBA and two additional remote locations, valued at $27 million. The 89th CS supplies mission support for the Air Force High Frequency Global Communications System, Navy Nuclear Command and Control, and NASA/SpaceX. During a normal work week, antenna systems technicians climb working structures, monitor the status of cables and ensure that antennas are operational -- all within mandatory safety parameters.
