News

51st Combat Communications Squadron showcases capabilities

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Members of the 51st Combat Communications Squadron have deployed just a few feet outside their normal work space in Bldg. 963.

While the first floor of the building undergoes HVAC renovations during the next several months, the squadron of about 150 personnel will work in temporary work centers.

The squadron, which falls under the 5th Combat Communications Group, is trained to respond at a moment's notice to not only any military tasking in the world but natural disasters and other contingencies around the globe.

Just like they do when deploy-ed, they were up and running air, power and more in no time.

Three small Alaskan tents were set up in less than two days at the rear of the building, where personnel were working to establish satellite communications and other systems. Getting the tents set up even allowed many Airmen to utilize their skills for the first time, and experience what it may be like in a combat-ready environment.

"This is a mini deployment for some of them," said Master Sgt. Olivia Samuels, Cyber Networks Flight chief.

Office furniture was moved out from first floor rooms and into a bay area, and network and phones were extended via cables into the tents. Subflooring was also installed, using pallets from the nearby commissary.

"It is a unique experience because you have everything in place to create a small city," said Tech Sgt. Jay Pirnie, 51st CBCS radio frequency transmission systems supervisor. "But when you do it four feet from your own door, it makes things pretty interesting."

The temporary move has also allowed the squadron, spread out inside the nearby building, to be closer together and see comrades on a more regular basis. While the surroundings may be a bit different, work continues as it would inside.

"The biggest thing was to move out of the office so that the renovations could occur," continued Pirnie. "With that we lost a lot of real estate; however, with all of this in the tents now, it has increased the amount of tenacity that we've got to do to move satellite dishes out of the bay and continue our training."