5th CCG takes time for professional development Published Jan. 30, 2009 By 5th Combat Communications Group ROBINS AFB, Ga. -- As part of a professional development opportunity, officers in the 5th Combat Communications Group recently went on a three-day trip, joining units at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and Tyndall AFB, Fla., for instruction and training. "The trip reinforced that communications is critical to every major effort the Air Force puts forth and it built camaraderie among the officers," said Col. Jose Rivera, commander of the 5th CCG. "It provided extremely valuable insight into the greater world of communications and its future." First stop was to Moody's 820th Security Forces Group, a unit that directly supports the warfighter through installation and maintenance of critical Mine Resistant Ambush Protected communications. The 820th SFG introduced the group to cutting-edge lightweight communications technologies. Next, the 5th CCG visited Tyndall's 601st Air and Space Air Operations Center, the unit responsible for defense of the North American continent. "We were able to visit the backbone that makes it all possible - state-of-the-art communications technologies that allow huge quantities of information to be directed exactly where needed, vital to maintaining a 24/7 vigilant watch over the entire United States," said 1st Lt. Tam Le of the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron. In addition, Tyndall's 325th Communications Squadron, a unit responsible for the operational needs of three fighter squadrons and associated units, gave the 5th CCG officers an introduction into the life of a base communications squadron, an aspect that many of the young lieutenants were unfamiliar with. "A striking difference between the 5th CCG and base units is that our group focuses on setting up initial communications in austere conditions while the base unit maintains and supports thousands of customers on a daily basis," Lieutenant Le said. While this three-day trip was a first, Colonel Rivera said he envisions additional professional development activities in the future.