1st CBCS opens lines of communication

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jerilyn Quintanilla
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  How effective is a leader with no means of communication to his subordinates? How much influence can a speaker have if he has no listeners?

Communication is an essential part of any successful mission, small or large. For the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, their duty was to ensure the lines of communication are always open.

Eighteen military members and one civilian employee, based out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, deployed to Istres, in support of Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector; their purpose, to provide high quality tactical communications.

"They provided the sole secure and non-secure communications and reach capabilities, as well as command and control communications and intelligence," said Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Rippy, 1st CBCS Infrastructure Systems flight chief.

Their unclassified efforts included the setup and installation of satellite communications links providing internet access, 42 internet protocol router network laptops, 30 defense switched network phone lines, eight secure phones, and 40 land mobile radios.

All communication systems were set up and operational within 48 hours of their arrival at Istres.

"1st CBCS surmounted every challenge to ensure the 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Istres remained connected to its tasking authorities and the outside world," said Lt. Col. Thomas Torkelson, 351st EARS commander. "They established communication systems connectivity allowing the 351 EARS to declare its readiness to receive the 120-Airmen main body."

Airmen from RAF Mildenhall arrived in Istres soon after.

"The 1st CBCS has some of the finest Airmen in the Air Force," added Rippy. "Seeing them do their job, seeing them do it well and with a great attitude, makes me proud."