Communication units deploy to support hurricane relief

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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) --  Airmen from Air Combat Command headquarters and the Air National Guard deployed during the past several days to provide around-the-clock service and support to the areas in the Gulf Coast ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

The Airmen are from combat communications and tactical communications units and the ACC communications directorate here.

"Our total-force team of active duty, Guard, Reserve, civil servants and contractors is doing an outstanding job contributing to national hurricane relief efforts," said Brig. Gen. John w. Maluda, director of communications for ACC.

The 83rd Communications Squadron here began deploying mobile satellite communication teams to Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., on Aug. 28, to provide instant and reliable communication links with agencies coordinating relief efforts.

The following day, the engineering installation squadron at Keesler began repairs on the instrument landing system. Once operable, the system allowed night and inclement weather operations for C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules aircraft relief flights. Restoring flying operations at Keesler was a key factor in moving people and supplies in and out of the area.

The combat communications groups deployed to six sites in Mississippi and Louisiana where they are providing voice and data communications, e-mail, and air traffic control communications to assist civilian and military relief efforts in the area.

The 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins AFB, Ga., deployed more than 60 Airmen and three satellite communication packages to Mississippi to set up two medium and one large satellite communication package. The 3rd CCG from Tinker AFB, Okla., deployed more than 100 Airmen and three satellite communications packages to Louisiana.

Several local Air National Guard units answered the call for assistance, including the 236th Combat Communications Squadron from Hammond, La., which provides satellite communication links, and the 259th and 248th Air Traffic Control Squadrons from Alexandria, La., and Meridian, Miss, respectively. The air traffic control squadrons are providing mobile air traffic control towers at the New Orleans and Gulfport airports for rescue, television and air ambulance crews.

A priority of the relief mission is to provide medical missions the voice and data connectivity they need to aid hurricane victims. (Courtesy of ACC News Service)