They can set up communications to anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world.

They can take a strip of land and turn it into an airfield capable of carrying out military or relief missions, but for now, members of the elite 5th Combat Communications Group are at a former Soviet republic making playground equipment for needy children.

A 71-member team from the 5th Combat Communications Group from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., recently arrived at Manas to prepare to be called forward for relief efforts in Pakistan.

The team consists of members from the 51st, 53rd and 54th Combat Support Squadrons.

These combat communication specialists are trained to go into an austere location and set up everything from air traffic control, to radio, to telephone and computers.

“Pretty much everything you see on this base, we would do on a bare base,” said Maj. Scott Jackson, team commander. “We come in self supporting. We bring in our own tents, power, water, (Meals Ready to Eat), etc, so we’re not a burden.”

The major said they planned for going to up to three separate locations in Pakistan and brought enough equipment to support that possibility.

"CENTCOM and CENTAF called on (the Air Combat Command) to get us prepositioned in the event we were needed to do an airbase mission, that hasn’t yet materialized so for now we’re trying to give them an a la carte capability for any other missions that we could support,” he said.

The group is now offering to go into Pakistan and break into even smaller teams of three to four people to coordinate helicopter landings with backpack satellite radios or wireless computers; or on a larger scale, send 11-person teams to put together rooms full of telephones or computers.

“We have a ton of experts: everything from power production through radio, satellites, to networks. So, we’ve offered all of that up,” said Major Jackson.

Airman 1st Class John Hamilton, ground radio technician, said he is excited about the opportunity to exercise the team’s capabilities and to help do whatever is required.

“We’ll stand by as long as they think we can add something,” Major Jackson said. “These guys are great. They have a broad range of capabilities. They are some of the most diverse trained experts out there. The power production guys can do everything from fixing a tractor,to digging a well, to building a building.”

Even though they are ready and willing to help, the team is aware people in Pakistan may need other things right now than what their team can offer.

“They want to get help to those folks but they are torn,” said the major. “They know that the priority is taking care of the suffering people and unless we’re helping to ease that suffering there’s no need in taking us in there.”

Until they are needed elsewhere, the team hasn’t wasted any time jumping in to get involved at Manas.

“They really saved us a lot of money,” said Maj. Eliza Knutson, 376th Expeditionary Services commander. “We knew we needed a new sound system at (our recreation center) but they were able to work with the equipment we had on hand.”

They not only boosted the volume level, but were also able to set it up so that it could be manually adjusted instead of just being turned off or on.

“We appreciate that they were willing to help us out,” said Major Knutson.

They have also contributed their time and talents to assist the Manas Air Base Outreach Organization, which is a group of volunteers who help out local charities and needy hospitals, orphanages and similar organizations.

This is how several of the group found themselves assisting with the preparation of two playgrounds -- one for the Habitat for Humanity housing project and the other for the Children’s Cancer Center in Bishkek.

Tech. Sgt. David Wells, MABOS H4H focus leader, said that for three hours the 5th CCG members measured, cut and stacked wood to be used for the construction of the playgrounds. Others from the same unit helped with the assembling of the wood to form the playground for the H4H housing project.

“Since arriving here at Manas, the 5th has been ready and willing to help out wherever needed,” said Sergeant Wells.

Major Jackson said that even though his folks are in a holding pattern, they’re extremely motivated.

“There’s no negative attitude about ‘we’re here in limbo.’ They know that we’ll stay here as long as there’s a chance that we can provide something of benefit to the commander on site. We’ll keep flexing as much as we possibly can.

“We’re all about helping out,” he said.