ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 330th and 129th Combat Training Squadrons graduated the inaugural Initial Qualification Training class for the new Tactical Operations Center-Fixed mission that is standing up at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 2, 2023.
The graduation culminated over a year of work by the 330th and 129th CTS instructor cadre, who developed syllabi and courseware for training Air Battle Managers and Mission System Operators for the TOC-F.
This new mission for Team CTS follows the decisions to divest the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, and to stand up the 728th Battle Management and Control Squadron at Robins.
The 728th BMCS will provide command and control of aircraft in U.S. Central Command by providing around the clock, real-time radar surveillance along with airspace deconfliction, air-refueling positioning and tactical reconnaissance.
The 728th BMCS will eventually take over the duties of the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, commonly known as “Kingpin.” The 727th EACS currently operates from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The 728th BMCS will transition to Robins in phases and is expected to be operational by fiscal year 2025.
This graduation is another milestone event toward four new missions coming to Robins. The other missions include: the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node “BACN” aircraft; the Advanced Battle Management System – Family of Systems; and the Spectrum Warfare Group.
“It is an honor leading a high-performing team of instructors, who have put so much work into transitioning from JSTARS to our new TOC-F training mission,” said Lt. Col. Kyle Stramblad, 330th CTS commander. “The men and women who have served in Team CTS have a lot to be proud of.
“Our students have also done a phenomenal job of providing feedback as they progressed through training,” Stramblad continued. “We will take this feedback and continuously improve as we move forward. Today is a huge accomplishment for Team CTS and for Team Robins.”
Team CTS will now proceed to Mission Qualification Training in preparation for the first 728 BMCS deployment in support of Kingpin later this year.