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353rd SOG Airmen train Guard counterparts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram
  • 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
Members of the 353rd Operations Support Squadron Communications and Information Flight spent two weeks sharing their knowledge and experience with about 70 people from the Alabama National Guard deployed here Aug. 11-22. 

The Airmen from the 280th Combat Communications Squadron, a traditional Air National Guard unit out of Dothan, Ala., spent their two-week, annual deployment completing annual ancillary training requirements as well as learning "tricks of the trade" from their active-duty counterparts. The 280th is Air Force Special Operations Command's only ANG combat communications squadron and shares the same mission as the 353rd OSS communications personnel -- to be prepared to train, equip, deploy and maintain communication and information systems and functions worldwide when tasked. 

The trainers from 353rd OSS built a comprehensive training plan to introduce, or re-introduce, the Guardsmen to most of the equipment they would use while deployed to ensure they would be well prepared to support units when tasked. The Guardsmen trained on multiple systems including the Joint Base Station, an all-in-one communications system capable of voice/data communications, local area network and email capabilities, as well as generators and environmental control units used to power and cool their equipment. 

"We work with the same gear performing the same mission," said Master Sgt. David Chase, a data and network technician with the 280th CBCS. "This training is a crucial time for us to interact with our active-duty counterparts to see how they do business, as well as for us to hone our skills. We support AFSOC units across the world and must be ready to step in when called to do so." 

To maximize the training effectiveness for the Guard members, Staff Sgt. Matthew Visocky, a 353rd OSS satellite communications technician, said trainers focused on hands-on training as much as possible. 

"We wanted them to see what they're doing," he said. "We had them program and build things from start to finish. It helps them when they go out in the field because they've seen it before and know how to do it. In the classroom you can teach theory and show them diagrams, but that only goes so far." 

Airman 1st Class Shanta Stephenson, on her first deployment with the 280th, said the two weeks entailed a lot of training, but it was all worth it. 

"I had CPR and Self Aid and Buddy Care training, refresher training on switches and routers, and learned new equipment while learning to interact with active-duty Airmen," she said. "It was very different and difficult, but a great experience." 

Throughout the training, Airmen from both units shared ideas to see how each unit can improve their processes. Sergeant Visocky also appreciated the training opportunity. 

"Throughout the two weeks, we were not only teaching, but learning as well," Sergeant Visocky said. "While you're teaching them, you're asking how they do things. Maybe they have a better way of doing things." 

At the end of the training, members of both units agreed they benefited from their interaction and they were confident in their ability to meet their worldwide mission. 

"We know when we go out the door and a request is made for these guys to support us they'll be ready to go," Sergeant Visocky said.