239th CCS deploys to Whiteman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bryan Crane
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 239th Combat Communications Squadron conducted a simulated deployment at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., for ten days from June 11- June 20.

Members of the 239th CCS used the simulated deployment to train their airmen for real-life scenarios.

"We are here providing communications to members of the 131st Bomb Wing and the 509th Bomb Wing," said Maj. Jason Schneider 239th CCS deployed commander. "As a Guard unit, these weeks we get together are critical to sharpen our skills and build as a team."

The 239th CCS has the ability to provide communications support for an entire wing. They can also provide effective Internet communications from 40 to 3,000 users.

"We can provide secure and non-secure Internet for the wing," Schneider said. "That includes 300 phones, network defense systems and most other communications needed in the world today."

The 239th CCS has all their own equipment to deploy with which allows them to quickly set-up and produce quality communications.

"We deploy with our own power plant and satellite," Schneider said. "We have our own network servers and once we're up and running we have email capabilities through our networks."

Airman 1st Class Luke Porter, 239th CCS radio frequency transmissions journeyman, is on his first simulated deployment and has used this opportunity to learn and grow.

"It's a lot of work being out here for these ten days," Porter said. "We have also been able to make it fun while learning from each other and preparing for real life situations."

The 239th CCS also has a unique addition to their mission, as they can provide these same types of communications to civil authorities in case of a natural disaster.

"In case of a natural disaster, we can employ communications with state authorities through our Joint Incident Command site," Schneider said. "This allows us to interact with local fire departments, police departments and other teams responding to a given incident. We can also use cell phones to communicate with civilian radios or tie together networks providing complete communication capabilities needed to manage a major incident or disaster."

The 239th CCS is based at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and is the prime cyberspace source for the Air Force's expeditionary theater deployable base communications and spectrum capabilities.