Home on the Range Published Nov. 4, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth Nellis Public Affairs NEVADA TEST and TRAINING RANGE, Nev. -- The dedicated professionals who work at Tolicha Peak Electronic Combat Range commute a minimum of 45 minutes daily just to get to a guarded gate shack miles from the nearest town. After passing through the security they trade their personal vehicles for a four-wheel drive government truck and take another 20-minute drive up a steep desert road, finally arriving at their office resting high above the desert floor in the Nevada Test and Training Range. Summer and winter in the high desert for anyone who hasn't experienced it is the definition of two extremes, 100 degree heat during the summer, and up to three feet of snow in the winter. "It takes a special kind of person and a high level of dedication to do the work these men and women do," said Lt. Col. Scott Sturgill, 98th Range Wing director of operations of the range's threat system operators. Many of these experienced threat system operators who are military contractors overseen by the 98th Range Wing have been honing the skills of DOD pilots for more than twenty years. "These people are the best in the world when it comes to operating these systems," said Col. John Montgomery 98th Range Wing, commander. "I've been continuing to come to work for the past twenty five years because I love my job, I love the people I work with, and I can't imagine a better crew, both here and out at Tonopah," said Joe Shamerell, Northern NTTR Manager. Shamerell isn't alone in his reasons for doing such a difficult and necessary service for his country. System operators David Leake and Gene Veratti both retired from the U.S. Air Force and have worked on the NTTR as Threat Systems operators for more than 20 years. "I like working on the radars and have been doing it all my life," said David Leake. "I had twenty years on active duty working on radars, so when I retired I put in for this and love it." A common theme amongst the people that work on the TEPCR is the pride in their work and a dedication to their country. Jon Hill was in the U.S. Navy when he learned how to operate and maintain radar systems. After an assignment aboard ship, Hill decided Navy life wasn't for him. Hill took his knowledge and experience here to the NTTR and started working at the TEPCR. He says he has been there for about three and half years and he admits the life-style can be difficult, but says it is worth it. "Although I haven't had a lot of feedback directly from the pilots, I would hope that the pilots are getting good training from our systems," said John Hill. With the changing tactics our enemies may use, it is important to have the people who can predict and calculate all possible scenarios for the success of American and Allied pilots in combat. These highly dedicated and experienced threat systems operators are key in accomplishing the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace.
