Combat Challenge '98

The Air Combat Command Website discusses the Y2K aspect of this event

Story by Maj Herb Porter

Several members of the 252nd Combat Communications Group recently returned from Combat Challenge 98.  Sponsored by the Air Combat Command (ACC), this biennial competition finds the "top guns" from amongst the worldwide deployable Communications units throughout the Air Force, the Air National Guard and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

This year's "Combat Challenge 98" marked a vast change from previous years, in the concept of the overall event. Instead of the airmen and technicians competing against one another, they worked together to find innovative and more efficient ways to accomplish their tasks. This year’s meet was held Aug 28th to Sept 4th at Tinker AFB, OK, as the 3rd Combat Communications Group once again hosted the event.

The purpose of "Combat Challenge 98" was to evaluate how communications and information services will be provided to the expeditionary aerospace forces of the 21st century. More than 850 communications and information systems professionals participated in the event. Members were split into nine different areas, called Critical Skill Areas or CSAs. These represented skill areas that theater commanders require to sustain air operations. Among the CSAs included were: Air Expeditionary Forces, Defense Message System, Theatre Deployable Communications, Network Control Center – Deployed, Joint Air Operations Center, and Ground Theatre Air Control System.

During the first three days of the event, all participants underwent an intensive, classroom-like training environment in order to have a better understanding of how the process would be carried out at the event site. Unlike previous Combat Challenge events of the past, the focus this year was on teamwork rather than competition, though there were some traditional competitive events such as a three-kilometer fitness run, marksmanship competition, and a pallet building exercise. The primary focus this year however, was on developing tactics, techniques, and procedures for deploying and providing combat communications assets in an expeditionary environment, thus laying the groundwork for the future.

The 252nd Combat Communications Group participated in three events. One was the Network Control Center–Deployed event. Those members were: SMSgt Dan Brewer, 143rd Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS), Seattle; TSgt David Armor from the 262nd CBCS, Bellingham; TSgt Scott Cleveland from the 242nd CBCS, Spokane; and TSgt William St Cyr from the 143rd CBCS. The second team participated in the Air Expeditionary Forces competition. These were: Capt Rae Fellenberg, 252 Combat Communications Group (CCG) Tacoma, WA; and MSgt Stanley McLean from the 242nd CBCS. In addition, AF Advisors Capt Barbara Bryant, assigned to the 252 CCG, and TSgt Curtis Turner, assigned to the 256 CBCS, Spokane, provided technical assistance to the overall event. Those members that were part of the Network Control Center-Deployed competition received an award for the Most Productive Critical Skill Area, and SMSgt Brewer was recognized as a Superior Performer.

"Combat Challenge 98" was highly successful in meeting this years objective. That goal was reached as participants learned from one another, shared valuable insight, and documented their results to share with other Air Force C & I units. These results were documented in various forms including: best practices; tactics, techniques and procedures; lessons to teach; and tips of the trade. This information will be used in future inspections and exercises to help refine the knowledge already gained through standardization and measurable metrics.