Operations support facility to streamline 5th CCG's supply, logistics Published July 3, 2008 By Holly Birchfield 78 ABW/PA Robins Air force Base, GA -- The 5th Combat Communications Group celebrated the opening of its new operations support facility at Robins June 27. The $4.5 million Congressionally-funded facility is the first building to be established in the forthcoming 5th CCG complex. Capt. Mark Landez, Combat Support Flight commander in the 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron, said the 27,000-square foot facility, located in Bldg. 1561, will be a great asset to the many missions the 5th CCG shoulders. "It's a state-of-the-art facility that will help our mission squadrons fulfill their wartime contingencies and taskings," he said. "It's also the first step towards the creation of the 5th Combat Communications Group compound end state, consisting of four mission squadrons, (5th CCG) headquarters, supply, and operations support facility." Master Sgt. Regina Ingram-Meier, combat supply operations chief in the 5th CBCSS, said the facility will enable the group's supply functions to operate more smoothly. "The new facility allows all of the three sections of supply (which includes) the Individual Equipment Element, Mobility Warehouse, and Material Control, as well as the Logistics Plans sector to come under one roof, making it easier for us to help our customers and to coordinate supply actions," she said. Col. Carl Block, 5th CCG commander, said realization of the facility has been a long time coming. "The vision of a centralized 5th CCG campus has been alive for over 15 years," he said. "This is the first building for that centralized campus. When the campus is complete, Airmen will be able to more effectively perform their duties because of reduced travel time between 5th CCG buildings around the base." The colonel said the facility's location makes Airmen's training more convenient. "In addition, overall training will improve since the 5th CCG campus will be close to our primary training and exercise sites, improving the capabilities of our warriors as they prepare for expeditionary operations," he said. Colonel Block said by bringing a number of functions under one roof, the facility will make Airmen's preparation for deployments more efficient. The added space will solve some storage challenges the unit has had, the colonel said. "In the past, we have had to store some equipment outside," he said. "The additional indoor space will allow us to store newly acquired equipment under cover as we enter data about the equipment into our logistics tracking systems." A definite completion date for the 5th CCG compound has not been set yet.