280th Combat Communications Squadron
Encyclopedia
The Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...

's 280th Combat Communications Squadron (280th CBCS) is a combat communications unit located at Dothan Regional Airport
Dothan Regional Airport
Dothan Regional Airport is a public use airport in the Dale County portion of Dothan, Alabama, located five nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Dothan, a city primarily in Houston County, Alabama, United States...

, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

. The 280th CBCS is the only combat communications unit in Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...

, and provides over 44% of their deployed communications.

Mission

The mission of the 280th Combat Communications Squadron is to provide communications and information systems for Command and Control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...

 of United States Special Operations Forces worldwide, as well as respond to State emergencies as directed by the Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...

.

History

In January 1959, the 280th CBCS was federally recognized as the 280th Communications Squadron (Special). The first members enlisted in the squadron in March 1959. In 1967, members of the 280th Communications Squadron (Special) were selected for training in response to then-President Johnson's directive to use Army and Air Guard units to maintain domestic order. Those members were appointed to Team 3 of Task Force Foxtrot, which was responsible for riot control. In October 1982, the unit was redesignated 280th Combat Communications Squadron.

The squadron moved to Abston Air National Guard Station in October 1986, then to Hall Air National Guard Station in April 1996. In February 1999, the 280th was integrated into the mission of the Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...

. In August 2004, the unit moved to its current location at the Dothan Regional Airport
Dothan Regional Airport
Dothan Regional Airport is a public use airport in the Dale County portion of Dothan, Alabama, located five nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Dothan, a city primarily in Houston County, Alabama, United States...

 Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...

 Station.

Emblem Description and Significance

On a blue disc. Issuing from lower left a yellow demisphere grid lined black and a yellow satellite in lower left emitting two red dash lines to the sphere; above the sphere and satellite a gray eagle with wings displayed throughout detailed black olive branches with white berries in his left claw; all within a narrow yellow border.

Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The globe represents the worldwide scope of mobility. The eagle symbolizes strength and keenness of vision. The lightning flashes and olive branches refer to the unit’s motto, COMMUNICATIONS FOR PEACE. The satellite reflects the high technology required of the unit in order to perform its mission.

Major Command/Gaining Command

  • Air National Guard
    Air National Guard
    The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...

    /Air Force Special Operations Command
    Air Force Special Operations Command
    Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...

     (1999–Present)
  • Air National Guard
    Air National Guard
    The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...

    /Air Combat Command
    Air Combat Command
    Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....

     (1992–1999)
  • Air National Guard
    Air National Guard
    The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...

    /Tactical Air Command
    Tactical Air Command
    Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...

     (1959–1992)

Previous designations

  • 280th Combat Communications Squadron (Oct 1982–Present)
  • 280th Communications Squadron (Special) (Jan 1959-Oct 1982)

Bases stationed

  • Dothan Regional Airport
    Dothan Regional Airport
    Dothan Regional Airport is a public use airport in the Dale County portion of Dothan, Alabama, located five nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Dothan, a city primarily in Houston County, Alabama, United States...

     Air National Guard Station, Alabama
    Alabama
    Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

     (Aug 2004–Present)
  • Hall Air National Guard Station, Alabama
    Alabama
    Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

     (Apr 1996-Aug 2004)
  • Abston Air National Guard Station, Alabama
    Alabama
    Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

     (Oct 1986-Apr 1996)
  • Maxwell AFB, Alabama
    Alabama
    Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

     (Jan 1959-Oct 1986)

Decorations

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 
    • 1 Jul 1968-31 Dec 1969
    • 1 Jul 1976-31 Dec 1972
    • 1 Jan 1989-31 Dec 1989
    • 1 Jan 1990-31 Dec 1990
    • 1 Jan 1991-31 Dec 1991

  • Air Force Communications and Information Major General Harold M. McClelland Award
    • 1 Jan 1990-31 Dec 1990

Photo gallery


File:280th CBCS Pic 1.jpg |280th CBCS Members at Kadena AB
File:280th CBCS Pic 2.jpg |280th CBCS verify antenna installation at Kadena AB
File:280th CBCS Pic 3.jpg |280th CBCS members working on a Joint Base Station setup

External links

  • http://www.280thanniversary.com/
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