Two Robins units receive deployment orders

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Adam Stump
  • 5th Combat Communications Group Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  The 5th Combat Communications Group and 116th Air Control Wing here received orders to deploy to the U.S. Central Command theater of operations.

The orders are a part of a larger action by the United States to reposition some of its military forces to support the global war on terrorism and to prepare for future contingencies.

"We're fired up," said Col. David Cotton, the 5th CCG commander. "This is what we train for every day."

The airmen and soldiers are ready to go, and the deployment will be historic because it is the first time a total-force wing, comprised of both Guard and active duty, Air Force and Army, will deploy, said Lt. Col. John Labuda, the 116th Air Control Wing public affairs officer.

The Army detachment provides trained and deployable Army air crews to the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System. Detachment soldiers also conduct surveillance, target detection and tracking for joint-force commanders worldwide.

"I'm excited," said Airman 1st Class Hanika Smith, a computer network controller for the 51st Combat Communications Squadron. "I can't wait to get over there. I'm ready to put all of this practice to work." (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)