Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

An Airman from the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Air National Guard, transports a Theater Deployable Communications System to a location alongside the flightline during the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 8, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron Air Battle Element and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (Names of military personnel withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

A cyber transport craftsman with the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Air National Guard, organizes cables during set up of a Theater Deployable Communications System during the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 8, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron Air Battle Element and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (Name of military member withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

A U.S. Air Force cyber systems operator with the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Air National Guard, connects cables during set up of a Theater Deployable Communications System during the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 8, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron Air Battle Element and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (Name of military member withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

A cyber transport journeyman with the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Air National Guard, installs an RJ-45 head on a Cat-5 cable for a Theater Deployable Communications System during the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 8, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron Air Battle Element and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (Name of military member has been blurred and withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

A client systems journeyman with the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Air National Guard, terminates the end of a Cat-5 cable for a Theater Deployable Communications System during the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 8, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron Air Battle Element and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (Name of military member has been blurred and withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

Surveillance technicians from the 117th Air Control Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard, monitor radar data emitted from aircraft flying in the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise from an operations module at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 11, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron air battle execution site and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (A portion of the photo is blurred and the names of the military members have been withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

An RF transmission superintendent, right, with the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia Air National Guard, discusses satellite transmission data information obtained from a Theater Deployable Communications System with two Airmen from the 117th Air Control Squadron during the Sentry Savannah 15-2 exercise at The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., May 10, 2015. Sentry Savannah is a National Guard Bureau sponsored training event with a focus on Joint Dissimilar Air Combat Training and 5th Generation Fighter Integration. It offers a chance for fighter pilots to participate in war simulations that depict what they would face in real-world scenarios. During the exercise the 283rd CBCS provided NIPR, SIPR, and voice services to the 117th Air Control Squadron Air Battle Element and extended service to their deployed radar site. Working together the two units provided vital data to help the fighter pilots complete their missions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by the 116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs/Released) (Names of military personnel have been withheld for security purposes)

Georgia Guard combat communications and air control squadrons join forces for air war exercise

Published May 20, 2015
By Public Affairs
116th Air Control Wing

Savannah, Ga. -- Two Georgia Air National Guard squadrons joined forces providing crucial air space control services for a simulated air war during Exercise Sentry Savannah 15-2, May 4-16, at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Georgia.

This exercise and an earlier Sentry Savannah exercise in February served as the backdrop for the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron out of Marietta, Georgia, and the 117th Air Control Squadron from Savannah to practice a new way of providing communication services during deployments.

"If an air control squadron like the 117th deploys somewhere that already has established communications they can tie into what's already there," said Master Sgt. Stephen, a cyber transport craftsman with the 283rd CBCS. "When they go somewhere remote that doesn't have communication systems in place, that's where we come in."

In the past air control squadrons were responsible for their own communication links.

"When we used to do it all ourselves we were working in a smaller bubble. Today we're connecting to the big network that goes all around the world," said Lt. Col. Ron, commander of the 117th ACS.

"Today's leaner Air Force and changes in the cyber world requires experts like the 283rd to provide that crucial connection to the big network so we're able to get information more effectively than when we could do it ourselves," said the commander.

As F-35, F-22, F-16, F-18, F-15, T-38, and KC-135 aircraft took to the skies for war-game scenarios, Airmen from the 283rd CBCS used their mobile satellite to provide classified and unclassified internet and voice services to the 117th ACS air battle execution site and extended those services to a deployed radar site.

The 117th ACS, using data from the 283rd CBCS, provided battle management and command and control for more than eight different airframes flying more than 300 sorties.

"The 117th provided tremendous situational awareness during each flight of the exercise," said Maj. Josh, an F-15C fighter pilot with the 194th Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard. "This has been a great opportunity for all of us to train together and fight together so we are prepared for anything in the future."

For some members of the 283rd CBCS, working with the air control squadron provided a unique experience.

"Working with the air controllers has allowed us to see what happens with the information once we pipe it out to them," said Senior Airman Rachael, a radio frequency transmission technician with the 283rd CBCS. "We are still integrating to learn what the ACS does and the services they offer."

Rachael shared how the experience of this exercise and the capabilities of the 283rd CBCS can not only benefit flying wings in deployed locations but also provide valuable capabilities in potential domestic operations.

"In a natural disaster, we can set up our small dish, called a SWE-DISH, and allow first responders to communicate through our radio repeaters," said Rachael.