News

53rd Combat Communications Squadron prepares for new boss

  • Published
  • By Brian Shreve
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The 53rd Combat Communications Squadron is getting ready to leave the 5th Combat Communications Group for a new home under the 461st Air Control Wing, representing a realignment effort aimed to enhance all unit capabilities.

On Oct. 1, the 53rd will officially become its own airfield squadron, though the staff of 145 personnel - 16 of them air traffic controllers - and their equipment will remain at its current location on the opposite side of the base.

The transition is part of a Program Action Directive handed down by the Secretary of the Air Force.

With the migration of the squadron's Deployable Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems, or DATCALS, to Air Combat Command, necessary funding will be provided that will help refurbish tactical radars and other equipment for the first time in several years. The squadron already houses $12.5 million in equipment.

"In the end I feel this is going to be a positive move for the personnel assigned to our unit," said Senior Master Sergeant Dwight Carns, 53rd CBCS superintendent. "ACC, along with the Air Force Flight Standards Agency, has revitalized the importance of our mission set and will be looking to fund our maintenance and training programs for the future."

As of June of last year with the deactivation of the 689th Combat Communications Wing, the 5th CCG has operated as its own entity, reporting directly to the 24th Air Force and Air Force Space Command.

The realignment, which began earlier this year, included the deactivation of the 54th CBCS and the disbursement of all of its air traffic control personnel, Radar and Airfield workcenters to the 53rd.

The move also meant that all satellite, secure data and voice capabilities from the 54th and 53rd respectively, would be realigned along with the personnel to perform those functions to the 51st and 52nd CBCS.

Sound confusing? Basically, the Air Force saw a need to revamp the Combat Communications capability, and it was decided to restructure the 5th MOB.

The 53rd was identified as the unit to stand up a new capability. The 53rd will serve as a Combat Airfield Operations Squadron - CAOS - taking on all tactical airfield capabilities, navigation and air traffic control, representing the first of its kind in the Air Force.

"It was decided at the highest levels to move this squadron from AFSPC to the ACC because it was better suited for the mission it does," said Lt. Col. Claude Archabault, 461st Operations Group deputy commander. "We're trying to do this as seamlessly as possible, bringing them into our family and making sure their needs are met."