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33rd Combat Communications Squadron [33rd CBCS]

[Note: Combat Communications Squadrons [CBCS] are sometimes also referred to using the acronym CCS]

The 33rd Combat Communications Squadron is one of the three squadrons created July 19, 1988 under special order G-60 from Headquarters, Air Force Communications Command. Since that time the 33rd has achieved many successes in several different exercises, deployments and community services.

Some of the unit's past deployments include Operation Uphold/Maintain Democracy, Operation Desert Focus, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Laser Strike/Constant Vigil and Roving Sands, the world's largest Joint Tactical Air Operations exercise.

In April 1995, the 33rd CBCS was tasked to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency in extricating victims from the bombed Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The squadron provided manpower and life support equipment for around-the-clock recovery efforts.

The 33rd took part in Combat Challenge '96 which consisted of 34 worldwide teams with 460 competitors with a budget of $300,000 for the 3rd CCG alone. The Third provided 182 turn-around personnel and 600 3rd Herd personnel during the competition. The 33rd began preparing for the event in April 1996 for the September 1996 meet and was tasked with nine major management areas: set-up; turn-around teams; opening ceremonies/picnic; competitions; closing ceremonies; DV reception; golf tournament; sports days activities; and the 4-star awards banquet. The unit's goals were to improve combat capability; embrace quality culture, strengthen ACC; improve safety; create wellness and fitness spirit; test deployable C4 CONOPS and System capabilities; and enable C4 warriors to demonstrate expertise and innovations DOD-wide. As a result, the 33rd CBCS took the overall sustaining C4 trophy.

In July 1997, the 33rd deployed 15 troops in support of New Horizons '97, a two-month humanitarian effort to build schools and hospitals, and provide medical treatment in Guyana, South America. The team, based 20 miles south of Georgetown, provided critical communications support to 300 personnel at the main camp and four remote jungle sites.

The 33rd led the 3rd Herd as the first squadron to deploy to Southwest Asia as part of Air Combat Command's Unit Integrity effort. Nearly 70 personnel departed in January and February 1998 to the region, and were in place at the onset of Operation Desert Thunder, the deployment of troops to the region to help persuade Iraq to allow weapons inspections. Deploying as a unit for 120 days in the sun has helped to bring order to the group's deployment process. Previously, desert rotations were filled one position at a time. In-garrison training and the ability to plan for personal needs was difficult. Now, troops assigned to the 3rd Herd can plan ahead for their desert rotations. The personnel tempo has gone from a whirlwind to merely hectic. The 34th CBCS scheduled to follow the 33rd in May and June 1998.

The 33rd also took part in Combat Challenge '98 in August.