3d Combat Communications Group

Last updated

3d Combat Communications Group
USAF - 3d Combat Communications Group.png
3d Combat Communications Group emblem
Active1957-2013
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Air Force
Role Tactical communications
Size Group
Part of 24 AF, Air Force Space Command
Garrison/HQ Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Nickname(s)"Third Herd"
Motto(s)"Anytime, Anywhere"
Mascot(s)Buford the Bull
Decorations Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon.svg Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg
Commanders
Current
commander		 Col Harris, Matthew C. (a/o 30 Sep 13 inactivation)

The United States Air Force's 3d Combat Communications Group (3 CCG) was a United States Air Force combat communications unit located at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

Contents

The 3 CCG inactivated 30 September 2013, affecting more than 700 military billets. [1] [2] [3]

Media reports state that the 3 CCG was inactivated by order of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. [4] However, no part of the act addresses the inactivation of the unit and no Air Force communications or tactical comm-electronics budget requests were denied by Congress.

Squadrons

History

With Allied victory in Europe and the end of World War II came the demobilization and withdrawal of all US Air Force units from the United Kingdom. Their absence, however, was short lived. In 1948, in response to the Berlin blockade, the US deployed long-range B-29 strategic bombers to four East Anglian bases. In early 1951 growing size and complexity of the American military presence required a larger command and organizational structure that could meet the needs of the increased operations (both strategic and tactical.) Third Air Force was activated on 1 May 1951 to oversee tactical air operations from the United Kingdom and provide logistics and support to the Seventh Air Division. The 3d Combat Communications Group lineage stems from the 3d Communications Group, which was active in South Ruislip, England, as part of the Third Air Force. The 3d Communications Group was established on 16 May 1957 and was activated on 8 July 1957. At the times of its activation in 1957 the 3d Communications Group consisted of the 603d Communications and the 605th Communications Squadrons.

The 1960s saw continuous fluctuations in the US Air Force presence in the United Kingdom. In 1961, some bases were returned and numbered air force activities merged. Support squadrons were eliminated at South Ruislip. On 1 July 1962 the 3d Communications Group was inactivated. The 3d was then reactivated and redesignated as the 3d Mobile Communications Group on 20 May 1964.

On 1 July 1964, the 3d Mobile Communications Group organized at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and assigned to the Air Force Communications Service (later, Air Force Communications Command (AFCC)) (AFCS G-28, 26 May 1964.) Under provisions of AFP 210-1-4, the 3d Mobile Communications Group inherited the history, awards and emblem of the 3d Communications Group. The 3d Mobile Communications Group took the void of the 3d Airways and Air Communications Service Mobile Squadron that was established at Tinker AFB, OK on 1 December 1952. Upon establishment of AFCS, the 3d AACS was redesignated 3d Mobile Communications Squadron (AFCS G-2, 1 July 61), but unfortunately would not be incorporated into the 3d Mobile Communications Group history and awards. Although no former recognized lineage with the 3d AACS and 3d Mobile Communications Squadron exist, it shares a common history of people, equipment and Tinker AFB. Upon its early reactivation in the continental United States it incorporated the 1869th Facility Checking Squadron, 1 October 1966 – 1 September 1971; 7518th Communications Squadron and the 7519th Communications Squadron, 1 September 1959 – 1 July 1962. Over the years it was redesignated many times: on 24 March 1976 it was designated the 3d Combat Communications Group; on 15 August 1984 it was designated the 3d Information Systems Group; and returned to the designation 3d Combat Communications Group on 1 October 1986. Since 1964 it has been assigned to various organizations of the Air Force Communications Service/Command, on 1 October 1990 it became part of the Tactical Air Command, and then Air Combat Command.

On 5 October 2009, the 3d CCG was realigned underneath the newly activated 689th Combat Communications Wing, headquartered at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. With this realignment, the group now fell under the Twenty-Fourth Air Force and Air Force Space Command.

The 3d Combat Communications Group inactivated on 30 September 2013.

Assignments

Major command

Commanders

Decorations

History Site

Please visit www.3drherd.org for articles, pictures, and stories about the Herd for historical purposes. There will be pictures, videos, and an archive of material for viewing, editing and contributing.

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References

  1. ↑ Tim Talley, Associated Press, Air Force cutting 600-person Tinker unit, 6 March 2012
  2. ↑ Air Force Space Command Public Affairs, Inactivation of the 3rd Combat Communications Group Archived 6 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ AFSPC vice commander addresses 3rd Herd impending inactivation Archived 2 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine , 4 May 2012, Brandice J. O'Brien, Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs
  4. ↑ Public Affairs, 24th Air Force. "Combat Communications Wing and Group Inactivate". USAF. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Brandice J. Armstrong, 3rd CCG earns Meritorious Unit Award Archived 5 August 2012 at archive.today , Tinker Public Affairs, 9 November 2009
  6. ↑ Gerald Sonnenberg, Air Force announces integration, information award winners, 15 June 2006, Air Force Communications Agency Public Affairs
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