Tinker Communications Group Ceases Operations

Officials at Tinker AFB, Okla., inactivated the 3rd Combat Communications Group, one of the major moves the Air Force has been making to streamline the combat communications mission. The group’s inactivation ceremony took place on Sept. 30, according to a release from 24th Air Force, the Air Force’s cyber operations arm at JBSA-Lackland, Tex., that oversees this mission. The group’s 750 airmen are moving on to other bases, or have been reassigned, retired, or separated from the Air Force, states the relase With the 3rd CCG ceasing operations, the 5th CCG at Robins AFB, Ga., is now the Air Force’s sole Active Duty combat communications group, states the release. The 5th CCG will now report directly to 24th AF headquarters since the Air Force also has inactivated Robins’ 689th Combat Communications Wing, under which the 5th CCG formerly fell. The wing ceased operations in June. “The future of combat communications is to become a lighter, leaner, and more capable force,” said Maj. Barry Roche, 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron commander. (Lackland report by 2nd Lt. Meredith Hein)