FY05 Annual Report Final - STATES - The National Guard

253rd Combat Communications Group
The 253rd Combat Communications Group
(CCG) is “tomorrow’s tactical
communications ... combat ready today!”
The group’s mission is to provide planning,
engineering and command level coordination;
process approval to train, advise and perform
tactical communications; and provide air
traffic services for total force integration. Secondly, the 253rd
provides a ready militia for protecting life and property, and
preserving peace, order and public safety in our communities.
The headquarters of the 253rd Combat Communications Group is
located at Otis Air National Guard Base (ANGB), Mass. It provides
training supervision to six subordinate units located in four states
and the District of Columbia. In simplified terms, the 253rd CCG
and its assigned units serve as the “AT&T,” “FAA” and “Internet
service provider” of the Air Force. Our units provide a range of
communications and air traffic control services to flying units.
From handheld satellite transceivers and 20-foot dish satellite
terminals, to portable high frequency radios and radios powerful
enough to talk halfway around the world, the units managed by the
253 rd CCG can meet all the needs of a flying unit commander for
communication services, both classified and non-classified.
The air traffic control units in the group can provide the full range
of air traffic control service with their mobile air traffic control
tower, Tactical Air Control and Navigation system and approach
control radar. All the 253rd CCG’s equipment is highly mobile,
and the group and its subordinate units are capable of deploying
and conducting sustained operations anywhere in the world.
In recent years, the group spearheaded the employment of newly
acquired Theater Deployable Communications (TDC) equipment,
designed to provide the flying commander with high quality and
reliable communications. Through extensive operational training
programs, the 253rd and its subordinate units have been
implementing the new equipment and technology.
Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom resulted in over
40 Airmen from the 253rd CCG deploying to Air Combat Command,
Langley Air Force Base, Va., from September 2001 through August
2003. In September and October 2005, the 253rd and 267th provided
communications personnel and equipment to Air Combat Command
and the Gulf Coast states for hurricane relief efforts.
267th Combat Communications Squadron
The mission of the 267th Combat
Communications Squadron is to train
personnel and maintain equipment for
worldwide deployment.
warfighters, whenever and wherever necessary. This is accomplished
through state-of-the-art communications equipment including
satellite, high frequency and wideband radio systems providing
networked secure and non-secure voice, data and messaging
services. The unit has a tasked response time of 72 hours and is
self-sustaining for a minimum of 72 hours upon arrival.
The 267th CBCS’s state mission is to provide forces to the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts for use during local or statewide
emergencies to protect life and property, and to preserve peace,
order and public safety. Primary tasking would be for
communications teams and support equipment.
Dramatic force modernization was evident beginning in 1972, when
strength levels increased and the latest state-of-the-art
communications systems were received. This force modernization
continues today, and the 267th is on the leading edge of technology
in communications, working closely with Hanscom Air Force Base
in the development of new communications equipment for the 21st
century.
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 201, the 267th has
deployed more than 100 personnel and 60 tons of equipment to
numerous sites in Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on
Terrorism and operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The personnel provided critical base communications for U.S. and
coalition warfighters.
In August 2005, the 267th underwent an Air Combat Command
Operational Readiness Inspection and performed well.
In September and October 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck
the Gulf Coast states. Nine personnel from the squadron deployed
into the Louisiana region with tactical communications assets to
assist local recovery efforts.
Part of the 253rd CCG, the 267th provides the
best tactical communications services and
information systems support to expeditionary Photo by Maj. Henry Renaud, 253rd Combat Communications Group
2005 Annual Report 39