Europe’s communication needs keep 1st CBCS busy

Airmen assigned to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron on Ramstein have become accustomed to being busy — after all, they support the communication needs of the entire European theater.

In recent months, in fact, nearly half of the squadron’s more than 300 members have been busy supporting operations in nine locations including Spain, Lithuania, Iceland and Latvia.

“I am very proud of the efforts of our Airmen, not only throughout this summer, but every day,” said Lt. Col. Keith Mueller, 1st CBCS commander. “Because when you are dealing with connectivity, we can’t afford to disappoint.”

On each deployment, 1st CBCS Airmen have been crucial to mission success, installing and maintaining communications systems from telephone lines to servers used to connect servicemembers to the Web.

During this summer, the squadron supported NATO missions in Rota, Spain, and even provided support to U.S. Africa Command’s intelligence community. Downrange, deployed 3Cs — tactical communications technicians — support reconnaissance-gathering, propeller-driven airplanes like the MQ-1 Predators, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Truly, the work our troops are doing has had a far reaching impact throughout the world and continues to provide essential support in our nation’s global security strategy,” said 2nd Lt. Miles McMullan, 1st CBCS transmissions systems officer in charge.

Add this to supporting Ramstein’s continual preparation for the September operational readiness inspection, and one can understand why the squadron adopted the “work hard until it’s done” attitude.

“And it’s working,” Lieutenant McMullan said. “The squadron is frequently lauded at both the group and wing level for its ability to excel for deploying real-world missions while maintaining squadron functions back home.”

With a storied history dating back to 1952, the Airmen of the 1st CBCS guarantee to stay busy throughout the coming months, proudly carrying out their motto of “First In, Last Out.”

The 1st CBCS is one of the squadrons that makes up the 435th Air and Space Communications Group, which brings fully scalable communications
capability to the joint force commander during contingency operations.