51st Combat Comm Squadron deploys to 'connect' bare base Published March 30, 2010 By Master Sgt. Robert Talenti 689th Combat Communications Wing ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Senior leadership from the 689th Combat Communications Wing and 5th Combat Communications Group were joined by the 50th Space Wing commander and command chief in a send off for a combat communications team from the 51st Combat Communications Squadron deploying to support the set up of a bare base for Operation Enduring Freedom March 24. Col. Theresa Giorlando, 689th CCW commander and Col. Jose Riveragaud, 5th CCG, commander hosted a visit from Col. Wayne Monteith, 50th SW commander and Chief Master Sgt. Randy LaCombe, 50th SW command chief, and during their visit they had the opportunity to visit with the airmen deploying. The group gathered in the 51st CBCS, RF transmissions section for focused words about the importance of the mission ahead, and to assure family members that they have the full support from the unit while their loved ones are deployed. "Our Airmen are excited and ready to do this mission, said Colonel Giorlando. "Bare base standup is our core competency and no one does it better that combat comm." "While our Airmen are out there doing the mission, we will ensure their families are taken care of back home - balance of mission and families is what combat comm is all about," she added. The 51st CBCS deployers will provide NIPR, SIPR, and voice communications capabilities to a base in Southewest Asia in support of OEF. "Our deployers will setup 'bare base' communications support... this is what we are trained to do and what we do best. It is a great opportunity for our squadron and especially our Airmen." said Lt. Col. Israel Askew, 51st CBCS commander. "Proving data voice services for base operations shows how critical combat comm skill sets are to the warfighter and combat operations" The team consisting of 31 Airmen departed March 25.