Members of the 283rd board and aircraft during a deployment this year. The unit earned an Air Force Outstand Unit Award for its work.

283rd Earns Outstanding Unit Award

Dobbins ARB, Ga., December 15, 2006 -- The Dobbins-based 283rd Combat Communications Squadron of the Georgia Air National Guard has been awarded the prestigious Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) acknowledging outstanding accomplishments both in domestic security operations and in the global War on Terror.

The award, presented by the Secretary of the Air Force in December, reflected on unit accomplishments between the dates of January 2004 and August 2006.

The AFOUA is presented only to a small number of Air Force units who distinguish themselves through outstanding achievements clearly above and apart from similar units.

In support of the Global War on Terror, Georgia's 283rd deployed more than 20 percent of the squadron for operations in Southwest Asia. Unit members deployed to Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other locations establishing central communication hubs vital for command and control for combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A team of 283rd satellite communications specialists deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan for more than a year to set up high speed and secure video and voice communications links with Army forward operating bases.

In July, more than 40 Dobbins-based Georgia Air Guardsmen supported the 1st Air Force and US NORTHCOM’s Deployable-Homeland and Air Cruise Missile Defense (D-HACMD) proof of concept in California. This exercise demonstrated a rapidly deployable air defense system designed to protect high profile national targets against cruise missiles and other low-flying threats. Communication teams deployed to several locations on the West Coast providing secure data and voice networks for the exercise.

More than 60 Guardsmen of Georgia's 283rd also aided in restoring reliable communications following the ravages of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

Reflecting on the unit's accomplishments, Lt. Col. Tom Dixon, 283rd Unit Commander said, “I am very proud of the personnel assigned to the 283rd ; each time they have stepped-up to the plate during challenging times that requires an increased Operational Tempo. There is still much work to do and the 283rd, as well as the entire Combat Comm community, will be there until the job gets done.”e children.

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