First Air Force ACCE teams provide resources for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions

  • Published
  • By Capt. Laura Ropelis
  • 1st Air Force (AFNORTH)
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla (ACCNS) --  Many Americans are closely following the 2008 Presidential Election through the 24-hour cable news cycle covering vice presidential predictions, town hall meetings, exit polls and every move the candidates make.

But most Americans are probably unaware of the involvement the United States Air Force has in the upcoming Democratic and Republic National Conventions.

1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern), based at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is sending a team of experts to work side-by-side with local, regional, state, and federal authorities to ensure the safety of the American people is the number one priority in Colorado for the Democratic National Convention and in Minnesota for the Republican National Convention. 

As part of its charter to conduct homeland defense and provide support to civil agencies, 1st Air Force offers the ability to save lives, prevent property damage, and give humanitarian assistance where and when it is needed most.

Part of the team that will 'deploy' to the convention sites is an Air Component Coordination Element, or ACCE as it is commonly known. At both conventions the ACCE team provides expertise to civilian officials and additional resources that are unique to the Air Force. The ACCE team is tailored to meet the needs of a situation or event, based on the needs of the agencies on the ground and resources already available.

"The conventions draw an enormous amount of people, and the eyes of the world will be on both locations," said Maj Gen. Hank Morrow, First Air Force commander. "What the Air Force brings to the table is what no other organization in the United States can, and that's the air defense of our nation. We will be paying close attention to aircraft that may mistakenly stray into the restricted airspace over the convention sites, and we'll be able to react quickly to ensure the safety of those in the air as well as those on the ground."

But not everything 1st Air Force is bringing will be airborne.

Many critical skills like emergency medical response, logistics, civil engineering and search & rescue are needed at such events. 1st Air Force will provide highly trained and qualified members to assist in these areas.

"We are not the lead agency for the conventions, but we certainly bring a lot to the table," said Col. John C. Colombo, 1st  Air Force operations director. "Our training and real-world global experience allow us to employ specialized skills in areas that have national significance. We have a proven track record of top-notch interagency cooperation." 

Uniformed personnel are used to augment agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency when needed, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration and numerous other agencies during approved Department of Defense activities. 

Of significant note, during this convention, is the scale of coordination between civilian medical facilities and 1st Air Force mobile medical response personnel.

"The team for the DNC has coordinated with 27 civilian hospitals, civilian emergency medical shelters and incident response teams to ensure the needs of the public are serviced," said Daizy Labee of the 1st Air Force Surgeon General's office. "Our response teams have extensive experience and medical resources if needed, and are able to react on a moment's notice our civilian counterparts are overwhelmed or request assistance."

During both conventions, General Morrow serves as the Combined Forces Air Component Commander with responsibilities to assure both events and the people at the events are protected by air.

"We remain dedicated to protecting our citizens and our freedoms here at home," said General Morrow. "Our democratic election process definitely falls under the category of preserving peace and our way of life. We are proud to serve."