Roleplaying flavour and guide to Iraq in 2011

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by ak_aramis

I can't speak to that base, nor even to a current base. However...

For several bases I've been to, two I've lived by, and one I've been stationed at, the base commander was NEVER a general officer, even tho' there was always a general officer on the base.

The Base Commander was always a Full Colonel (US O6, NATO OF-5) or Navy Captain (same grades). I've seen evidence of base commanders of lesser rank, for small bases, but again, the base commander was nominally under the command of another officer on the base.

The Wing/Brigade/Division/(Naval Squadron) commanders were General/Flag officers. Operational command of the activities from the base fell to the Wing/Brigade/Division CO. Day to day on-base functions, including on base security and law enforcement, facilities maintenance, housing, and food services usually fall to the base commander.

Excellent, so Col. Irmintraut wants to speak with Col. Rick Kaiser of the 20th Engineer Brigade. He will no doubt also call upon Col. Linder as a courtesy call if that officer is not otherwise occupied.

The officer in command of a whole base, even if it happens to be winding down, will have access to all sorts of surveillance and communications gear that he could lend to a fellow officer who did not happen to bring with him a sufficient quantity, right?