254th Combat Communications Group History
The 254th Combat Communications Group has evolved from a small squadron with one officer and 27 enlisted men to a Group Headquarters with six subordinate units located in four states. Resources managed include more than 900 personnel and equipment in excess of $85 million. In July 1952, the unit organized as the 221st Radio Relay Squadron. Its operational headquarters was the 251st Group at Springfield, Ohio, and the 136th Airlift Wing at Hensley Field administratively supported it.
In January 1963, the operational command transferred to the 252nd Group at Spokane, Washington. In March 1968, the unit was re-designated the 221st Mobile Communications Squadron to more accurately reflect its mission. The unit became a Group Headquarters in June 1971, named the 254th Mobile Communications Group having assigned units in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Assets assigned to the Group passed to the newly activated 254th squadron which was collocated with the Group.
In July 1985, the Group was re-designated the 254th Combat Information Systems Group. A year later, in October 1986, it was re-designated the 254th Combat Communications Group. The Group has deployed its personnel and equipment to all corners of the United States. It has also traveled to Europe, including Spain, England, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Greece and Turkey. Twice the Group provided communications in Korea.
An impressive record of achievements was completed by the 254th throughout the years. It was the first Air National Guard organization tasked to be the lead combat communications unit in a Joint Chief of Staff-directed exercise- BRAVE SHIELD 12 - and, in 1979 became the first ANG unit deployed to the European theater to provide communications support for a NATO series of exercises. In addition, the units of the 254th have provided technical expertise to their active duty counterparts during the developing and testing of the Joint Automated Message Processing System (JAMPS).
These accomplishments reflect a continuing tradition of consistently outstanding performance, and appropriate recognition to include the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; and both Division and MAJCOM Outstanding Combat Communications Group Awards; and six National Guard Association Outstanding Unit Achievement Awards for Air.
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254CCG History 
