Communications Flight tests deployment skills

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. David Thoreson
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Communications Flight "deployed" to the north side of the base March 7 and 8 to test their ability to set up and use theater-deployable communications equipment. 

In an effort to stay proficient and expand their annual training requirements, the 944th CF included other Air Force Reserve Command units for the first time. 

Two geographically separated units participated in the exercise enabling the communications technicians to set up satellite radio and telephone technologies. 

Using a PSC5 satellite radio connected by microwave transmission, the Phoenix-based 944th Communications Flight established radio connections with Tucson-based 934th Communications Flight at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. The flight also tested their satellite telephone system by successfully establishing voice communications with the 349th Communications Flight at Travis AFB, Calif. 

"The 944th Communications Flight successfully managed the transmission of voice and data between three geographically dispersed Air Force Reserve communication units," said Lt. Col. Darren Hooks, 944th CF commander. "All units worked together effectively and utilized essential manpower and equipment resources to accomplish mission-critical theater-deployable communication field training." 

In addition, the 944th CF set up a computer network using fiber optics and microwave transmissions. Secure email transmissions were sent through the three networks that were established. 

"Our training this UTA was absolutely a great experience for three of our information managers who received hands on training and practiced the setup of a small network of computers," said Tech. Sgt. Sandra Montoya, 944th CF information manager. "They were able to see and to understand the 'big picture' of how they communicate together. To see how our small work group of four laptops can come together to make a connection with the computer systems operations network hubs made us feel like we were part of the team. I think this field exercise really motivated us and showed us how important our roles are being an information manager." 

To maximize the training opportunity, the 944th CF accomplished their tasks while dressed in full chemical warfare gear.