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U.S. Air Force

Communications

The squadrons that build and defend every network the Air Force uses to fight. From radio relay in WWII to satellite communications and cyber defense, Comm keeps the Air Force connected.

Communications
Explore Comm Squadrons
Comm Squadrons / Cyber / SATCOM
Connecting the Fight Est. 1938
COMMUNICATIONS
AFSC 3D / 1D7
Communications Squadrons
Networks / SATCOM / Cyber / Radio
3D/1D7
Comm/Cyber AFSCs
SATCOM
Satellite Comms
Network
Infrastructure
Cyber
DEFENSE OPS
Communications squadrons build, operate, and defend every network the Air Force uses to command and control its forces. From the fiber optic cable connecting a wing ops center to the CAOC, to the SATCOM links enabling drone operations from thousands of miles away, to the cybersecurity teams defending those networks from intrusion. Comm makes command and control possible. When the network goes down, the Air Force goes deaf, dumb, and blind. Read more
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Radio to Cyber Warfare 1942 - Present
AACS
GLOBAL COMM NETWORK
Cold War AACS
Airways and Air Communications
AACS
Air Comm Service
HF
High Frequency Radio
Global
Relay Network
AFCS
AF COMM SERVICE
The Airways and Air Communications Service built the global communications network that connected Air Force bases worldwide during the Cold War. HF radio relay stations, telephone switchboards, and teletype circuits linked SAC bomber bases to command posts, enabling the nuclear deterrent mission. AACS evolved into the Air Force Communications Service and eventually into today's communications squadrons organic to every wing. Read more
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CYBER
16TH AF / AFCYBER
Modern Cyber and Comms
Network-Centric Warfare
16th AF
Cyber MAJCOM
AFCYBER
AF Cyber Command
DCO
Defensive Cyber Ops
NIPR/SIPR
NETWORK DEFENSE
Modern communications squadrons are on the front line of cyber warfare. They defend Air Force networks against nation-state cyber intrusions, maintain classified and unclassified networks across every installation, and deploy expeditionary comm packages that stand up networks at bare bases in days. The 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) at Joint Base San Antonio provides the operational cyber capability. Every base comm squadron is both a network operator and a cyber defender. Read more
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3D/1D7
Comm/Cyber AFSCs
16th AF
Cyber Command
SATCOM
Satellite Comms
Cyber
Network Defense