U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- Imagine working in a room with no windows, but it's filled with computers, telephones and radios. At any moment, an incoming message can be received and that message could be an aircraft mishap, a medical emergency, or a wing personnel distress call. What do you do? This is the scenario Airmen from the 301st Fighter Wing Command Post must be ready for every day. Master Sgt. Margarita Wells, this month's featured warrior, is one of the 301 FW Airmen who work within one of the wing's most important units.
The command post is the central communication liaison between agencies and personnel such as major commands, first sergeants, the Red Cross, and base agencies for Airmen. At any moment, the 301st Fighter Wing Command Post can receive an alert about an aircraft, an emergency or situation concerning one of the wing's personnel. They are also charged with being excellent communicators and with training wing leadership and supervisors on response procedures.
“As a command post manager, it is my responsibility to operate the command post on behalf of the wing commander,” said Wells. “I ensure all assigned personnel are trained and certified on installation mission tasks in order to support command and control functions for the wing and tenant units.”
Wells joined the military on September 2010 and has been in the command post career field since 2012. She joined the Air Force Reserve as a Traditional Reservist in 2015 and started the full-time position in 2018 in force readiness and then as the superintendent in 2019.
“I wanted to be a part of something more as a first-generation Mexican American,” she said. “The thought of traveling and the educational benefits within the military were also a bonus."
Wells' job has allowed her to travel all over and use her expertise wherever she went. She describes a time during an overseas deployment she will never forget.
“On my first deployment in 2015, we were bombed every day,” said Wells. “We sent out emergency notifications to base personnel and informed leadership of incidents that fell into the appropriate reporting criteria, along with managing the incoming and departing aircraft (C-130s and C-17s), while supporting aeromedical evacuations.”
Wells was able to get the job done at every turn and the responsibilities which come along with working in the command post can be stressful. Wells makes sure she takes time for herself and to enjoy her hobbies when she gets home.
“I enjoy crocheting and watching documentaries,” she said. “..,Something most people don’t know about me is I have four sheep I take care of.”
Having already experienced travel and learning much of the Air Force operations which only command post can see, she is not satisfied with only military service.
“My short term goal is to complete a Bachelors of Science in Health Management with a minor in Human Resources,” said Wells. “My long term goal is to retire from the Air Force. At that point, I would be very proud...knowing I did my part. After the military, I want to apply my experience and my degree within the healthcare world.”
Along with a servant's heart, Wells shares the simplicity of the best advice she has received in and out of the work place.
“If you're unsure, always ask questions to clarify... don’t assume.”
Wells concluded with a final thought.
"It takes an entire team to run the command post and one person can't do it alone," she said. "From command post leadership to the most junior Airman, proficiency, readiness, communication and teamwork are the only way we can take care of our wing."