Air Force officials activated the service’s first combat communications wing, the 689th CCW, during a ceremony Oct. 5 at Robins AFB, Ga. The unit, which provides expeditionary and specialized communications, air traffic control, and landing systems to enable US and coalition operations in austere, forward environments, falls under 24th Air Force, USAF’s new cyber operations organization that stood up in August at Lackland AFB, Tex. Air Force Space Command is the parent organization of 24th AF. Nationwide, the 689th CCW will have approximately 6,000 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Command personnel, along with civilian and contractor support. The wing is one of three under 24th AF, along with the 67th Network Warfare Wing and 688th Information Operations Wing. The Suns News of Macon, Ga., reported Tuesday that the 689th CCW will add about 40 active duty airmen to Robins. (AFSPC release)
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
