Unit members and equipment similar to that used in exercise. (file photo)

283rd participates

Capitol defense aim of joint exercise

Forty-five Georgia Air National Guardsmen of the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron deployed in May to Gulfport , M iss., for Exercise America 's Shield.  This two week exercise was designed to train Army and Air Force personnel to operate the integrated Air Defense System which monitors and protects the airspace around the nation's capital.

During the two week deployment, 283rd personnel provided satellite and gateway access for voice, data and video communications capabilities as well as coordinated with the Western Air Defense sectors and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for Command and Control (C2) requirements and radar integration.

 The terrorist attacks in America on 9/11, led military officials to institute a robust integrated air defense system providing an umbrella of enhanced protection and defense over the nation's capital.  In 2003, a tactical Joint Air Defense Operation Center (JADOC) was established at Bolling AFB combining all the radar, communications, command and control and defense capabilities operating together.  Army Air Defense and C2 personnel deploy to the nation’s capital annually for this requirement. 

“Since 2006, the 283rd CBCS has partnered with the 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command from Anderson , SC to satisfy this important need,” said Lt. Col. Tom Dixon, Commander 283^rd CBCS.  “Exercise America ’s Shield serves as a venue to satisfy three essential mission requirements, Dixon explained.  It provides an opportunity to train personnel rotating into the nation’s capital every year to support the Integrated Air Defense System, and secondly, we are able to practice a deployable version of this system. Finally Dixon says it allows the unit to test and integrate new technology.

“I am quite proud of the many successes resulting from this exercise and especially proud that the 283rd is directly involved with our nation’s number one priority – Homeland Defense. 

While deployed to Gulfport the Dobbins-based Airmen were visited by Major General Scott Hammond, Commander Georgia Air National Guard, Major General Tom Lynn, National Guard Advisor to the Commander Air Education and Training Command, and Brigadier General Tom Moore, Commander 116th Air Control Wing and numerous other senior leaders from NORAD and Northern Command.

The 283rd Combat Communications Squadron is an integral part of a three-year Joint Test and Evaluation that will formalize a deployable homeland and air cruise missile defense capability.

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