Combat communications team ramps up 332nd AEG network capabilities

Senior Airman James Unangst, 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron, works on satellite control equipment as part of building up the communications infrastructure for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group here Jan. 11. The advance team arrived in November with six personnel and set up the communications initial operating capability. Within three days of the rest of the unit’s arrival, the combat communications squadron increased the network capacity from 20 users to more than 150.

Combat communications team ramps up 332nd AEG network capabilities

Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron operations flight work on a satellite as part of building up the communications infrastructure for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group here Jan. 11. The advance team arrived in November with six personnel and set up the communications initial operating capability. Within three days of the rest of the unit’s arrival, the combat communications squadron increased the network capacity from 20 users to more than 150.

Combat communications team ramps up 332nd AEG network capabilities

Published Jan. 19, 2015
By Tech. Sgt. Jared Marquis
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The main group of the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron arrived here Jan. 8 to continue the buildup of communications access for the Airmen of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Group.

Combat communication elements are typically sent in to set up or tear down communications at a new or transitioning base. The 332nd ECS is comprised of Airmen from the 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, along with augmented communicators from across the globe.

The communications advance team arrived in November with six personnel and set up the communications initial operating capability.

Within three days of the rest of the unit’s arrival, the team increased the network capacity from 20 users to more than 150, said Capt. Clifton Linde, 332nd ECS, operations flight commander.

“Now that the entire squadron is here with a more robust infrastructure, we will soon grow that footprint,” he said.

The infrastructure includes network access, telephones and radios, he said. Right now, the 332nd AEG is sharing a domain with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. The team’s primary goal is to establish a 332nd AEG domain for mission essential capabilities such as email, SharePoint, network access, telephones and radios.

As the 332nd ECS works toward that goal, they will face several obstacles, such as power issues, weather and finding physical space for equipment and people.

“Some of the more interesting challenges have been sharing space with joint and coalition forces,” Linde said. “There is not enough physical real estate on base, so finding areas to work makes life hard sometimes.”

Despite the challenges, the unit will continue to build an infrastructure to support the communications needs of the growing base.