Decorated combat comm squadron prepares for ORI

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Joe Simms
  • 22nd AF Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  The 55th Combat Communications Squadron completed a three-day operational readiness exercise Wednesday here in preparation for their September operational readiness inspection. 

Members of the highly decorated combat communication squadron set up communications equipment in a simulated deployed environment to include phone, network, radio and satellite connectivity. 

"During this ORE we are focusing on providing extended service in a simulated bare base environment to an offsite command," said Maj. Christopher Marcella, commander 55th CBCS. 

The mission of the 55th is to provide users with robust command capability in any type of forward deployed location. These Reservist train with a "first in mission" tasking in mind, where they must be able to arrive on the ground, sometimes alongside special forces, with only 72 hours notice and establish security and reach back capability within 90 minutes. 

The 55th recently returned from a deployment where they rewired a former Iraqi Army base to establish connectivity and gave Air Force leadership an accurate picture of capabilities in the area. 

"This exercise is similar to our mission (overseas) in that we are providing services to a forward operating base," said Major Marcella. 

For their efforts, the members of the 55th were awarded the 22nd Air Force Communications and Information Unit Award and three individuals received Air Force Reserve Command awards. The 37 members of the 55th were the largest number of communication personnel to deploy in one rotation in Reserve history. While overseas, they created worldwide communications for 25,000 joint users and provided Air Force Central Command with Iraq-wide Air Traffic Control capability. 

The 55th was credited with servicing 174 projects and eliminating over 2,800 man-hours of communication and civil engineering work. 

What makes this unit successful are the skills each member brings to the unit. 

"We do this in our civilian jobs as well," said Major Marcella. "Much of what our Reservists do in their civilian job directly correlates to the mission in Iraq or Afghanistan." 

Reservists from as far away as Texas and California make the trip to serve with the 55th. One of these reservists is Senior Master Sgt. John Temple who recently joined the 55th and resides in Sacramento, Calif. Sergeant Temple previously worked with a member of the 55th at another location, and the mission and culture of the unit were driving forces in his decision to join the team. 

"I worked with Senior Master Sgt. (Bart) Sawyer for years and I happened to be in Atlanta on business," Sergeant Temple said. "We talked and he told me they had a position open so I came down and everything started from there." 

Major Marcella attributes the desire of his troops to travel across the country to the uniqueness of the mission. 

"Whether it's a national contingency like Hurricane Katrina to something overseas, you provide something from nothing," Maj. Marcella said. "It's an amazing thing that you can go from a bare base environment to a full fledged base and I think that is what draws people to this career."