User:Glcshadow
The 244thst Combat Communications Squadron was an Air National Guard Unit located at Portland IAP, Portland, Oregon.
Mission[edit]
The 244th Combat Communications Squadron's Federal peacetime mission was to organize, train, man and equip to attain and maintain an optimum effective capability to carry out roles and tasks assigned by gaining command plans for utilization in the even of national emergencies. The State peacetime mission was to provide orgainzed and trained personnel for preservation of life and property and maintenance of order and public safety wherever required and so directed. The motto of the 244th was, "Dic Quando et Ubi - Say When and Where" exemplifies the spirit of the unit to meet all taskings anytime and anywhere.
Emblem[edit]
Decorations[edit]
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Jan 1974 - 31 Dec 1975
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Jan 1979 - 31 Dec 1980
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Jan 1983 - 31 Dec 1984
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Jan 1987 - 31 Dec 1988
Previous designations[edit]
- Constituted - 244th Airways and Air Communications Service Engineering & Istallation Squadron, on 7 Jul 1956.
- Redesignated - 244th Ground Electronics Engineering & Installation Agency (GEEIA) Squadron on 1 Jan 1959
- Redesignated - 244th Radio Relay Squadron on 1 Oct 1960
- Redesignated - 244th Mobil Communications Squadron (Contingency) on 1 Mar 1968
- Redesignated - 244th Combat Communictions Squadron (Contingency) on 1 Apr 1976
- Redesignated - 244th Combat Information Systems Squadron on 1 Jul 1985 1976
- Redesignated - 244th Combat Communications Squadron on 1 Oct 1986
Equipment Operated[edit]
Tacitical Communications
History[edit]
244th Combat Communications Squadron History
The 244th Airways and Air Communications Service Engineering & Installation Squadron was organized on 7 July 1956. Major Albert Garvin (the Father of the 244th) was assigned as the Commander. Field training was accomplished in San Francisco, Ca., Boise, Id., and Tucson, Az.
In 1959, the 244th AACS E&I Squadron was re-designated as the 244th Ground Electronics Engineering & Installation Agency Squadron. The members of the unit were deployed to eight locations in three states for AFT.
1960 brought another name change to the unit, the 244th Radio Relay Squadron. The 244th had experienced two name changes already, but it was time for even greater change. In 1961, the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) was renamed as the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) and was elevated to major command status. The 244th Radio Relay Squadron became part of the 252 Combat Communications Group, which was headquartered at Spokane, Washington. 1961 was the first year the 252 Group trained as a combined unit.
During the Columbus Day storm in 1962, the 244th furnished lighting, heating, and cooking capability to the Waverly Baby Home and the Old Folks Nursing Home. They also kept the water pump operating in Blue Lake.
The 244th was the first squadron to establish on-site housing (trailers), cooking, and recreation. This proved to be less expensive than off site housing and contract food service, which was the established procedure used by other squadrons.
Technical Sergeant Gene A. Katke received recognition as the Outstanding Unit Airman, and was selected as the Oregon Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of 1963. Gene Katke went on to become a Two Star General and the Adjutant General for the State of Oregon. The first Air National Guard Officer to hold this position
In March of 1968, the unit was re-designated as the 244th Mobile Communications Squadron and Colonel Philip Saxton was appointed as Commander of the unit.
1969, Colonel Ben Faber was passed to the torch of command for the unit. During this year application was made for a unit emblem.
“The globe, half in daylight, the other half in darkness, symbolizes time. The globe on the blue background is symbolic of aerospace communications. The red lightning links the day and the night, and extends the dimensions of the world and beyond. The flash also denotes rapidity of action when called upon for the defense of our country. The Latin inscription, ‘Dic quando et ubi’, is literally translated, ‘say when and where’
Approval of the unit emblem was received on 9 May of 1969. However, reproduction of the actual patch for wear on the uniform would not be accomplished until 1990.
In 1970 Colonel Joel Krausse assumed command of the 244th Mobile Communications Squadron. Four days later was assigned the Commander of the 116th Tactical Control Squadron and Colonel Ben Faber took back the reins of command.
Major Mark Luedtke assumed command of the 244th in 1973. It was Major Luedtke that had the idea and formulated the proposal to establish and agreement with the Forest Service to provide communications support during forest fires. It was not until 1976 that the proposal would come to reality and in 1977 was put into practice.
For the third time Colonel Ben Faber assumed command of the unit in 1974. Colonel Garvin was quoted as saying; “Maybe he’ll get it right this time.” In 1975 the 252Combat Communications Group was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with the 244th Mobile Communications Squadron sharing in this award.
In 1976 the unit designation was changed to the 244th Combat Communications Squadron. Later this year, Major Gene Katke was assigned as Commander.
1979 saw the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) re-designated as the Air Force Communications Command AFCC).
1980: The 252CCGP received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with the 244th Combat Comm. Squadron sharing this award for the second time. This year the Group also received the AFCC Air National Guard Outstanding Achievement Award and the 244th also shared in this award.
Lt Colonel Keith Hallmark assumed command of the 244th in 1983. In 1984 the 252CCGP received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award again, with the 244th sharing in this award for the third time. The 244th also received the AFCC Air National Guard Unit Achievement Award for 1984.
1985: The unit was renamed again to the 244th Combat Information Systems Squadron. The 244th received the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) Air National Guard Outstanding Unit Achievement Award for the second consecutive year and the third time in six years. In 1986 the name was changed back again to the 244th Combat Communications Squadron. The summer of 1986 saw the unit involved heavily in supporting the Forest Service on many different forest fire camps.
In 1988 the unit received the highest possible rating (OUTSTANDING) in an Operational Readiness Exercise (ORI). This year the unit also received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the fourth time.
Lt Col Wayne Green assumed command of the unit in 1990. This year we celebrated our proud 35 years of history with a gathering of all of the past Commanders during our annual unit picnic.
In 1996 Lt Col Dennis Mitts took the reins of command for the 244th.
In 2000 Lt Col Peter Harris became the Commander of the unit. The unit continues in its proud tradition. Members of the unit supported the ongoing Air Expeditionary Force’s in Southwest Asia on a voluntary basis
2002: Another first for the 244th! The unit was partially mobilized (involuntarily) to support the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Southwest Asia.
In 2003 Lt Col Mark Crosby assumed command of the 244th Combat Communication Squadron and guided the unit until it was deactivated on 9 September 2006.
Over the past 50 years, the 244th has undergone a metamorphosis. The unit continued to train and update its personnel as needed to accomplish the mission. Members of the unit participated in many deployments, from in state training exercises, to overseas JCS exercises, to state emergencies to Presidential call-ups. The 244th Combat Communication Squadron’s excellence has been evident throughout the years.
References[edit]
- Oregon Military Department Press Release: http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/PressRelease/2006/9-08-06bPress.shtml
- 244th Unit History Reports (NGB Form 114)