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3rd Combat Communications Group
3rd Combat Communications Group emblem
Active	1957-2013
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Tactical communications
Size	Group
Part of	24 AF, Air Force Space Command
Garrison/HQ	Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Nickname(s)	"Third Herd"
Motto(s)	"Anytime, Anywhere"
Mascot(s)	Buford the Bull
Decorations
Commanders
Current commander	Col Harris, Matthew C. (a/o 30 Sep 13 inactivation)

The United States Air Force's 3rd Combat Communications Group (3 CCG) was a United States Air Force combat communications unit located at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

The 3 CCG inactivated 30 September 2013, affecting more than 700 military billets.

Media reports state that the 3 CCG was inactivated by order of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. However, no part of the act addresses the inactivation of the unit and no Air Force communications or tactical comm-electronics budget requests were denied by Congress.

Squadrons

• 31st Combat Communications Squadron
• 32nd Combat Communications Squadron
• 33rd Combat Communications Squadron
• 34th Combat Communications Squadron

History

With Allied victory in Europe and the end of World War II came the demobilization and withdrawal of all US Air Force units from the United Kingdom. Their absence, however, was short lived. In 1948, in response to the Berlin blockade, the US deployed long-range B-29 strategic bombers to four East Anglian bases. In early 1951 growing size and complexity of the American military presence required a larger command and organizational structure that could meet the needs of the increased operations (both strategic and tactical.) Third Air Force was activated on 1 May 1951 to oversee tactical air operations from the United Kingdom and provide logistics and support to the Seventh Air Division. The 3rd Combat Communications Group lineage stems from the 3rd Communications Group, which was active in South Ruislip, England, as part of the Third Air Force. The 3rd Communications Group was established on 16 May 1957 and was activated on 8 July 1957. At the times of its activation in 1957 the 3rd Communications Group consisted of the 603rd Communications and the 605th Communications Squadrons.

The 1960s saw continuous fluctuations in the US Air Force presence in the United Kingdom. In 1961, some bases were returned and numbered air force activities merged. Support squadrons were eliminated at South Ruislip. On 1 July 1962 the 3rd Communications Group was inactivated. The 3rd was then reactivated and redesignated as the 3rd Mobile Communications Group on 20 May 1964.

On 1 July 1964, the 3rd Mobile Communications Group organized at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and assigned to the Air Force Communications Service (later, Air Force Communications Command (AFCC)) (AFCS G-28, 26 May 1964.) Under provisions of AFP 210-1-4, the 3rd Mobile Communications Group inherited the history, awards and emblem of the 3rd Communications Group. The 3rd Mobile Communications Group took the void of the 3rd Airways and Air Communications Service Mobile Squadron that was established at Tinker AFB, OK on 1 December 1952. Upon establishment of AFCS, the 3rd AACS was redesignated 3rd Mobile Communications Squadron (AFCS G-2, 1 July 61), but unfortunately would not be incorporated into the 3rd Mobile Communications Group history and awards. Although no former recognized lineage with the 3rd AACS and 3rd Mobile Communications Squadron exist, it shares a common history of people, equipment and Tinker AFB. Upon its early reactivation in the continental United States it incorporated the 1869th Facility Checking Squadron, 1 October 1966 – 1 September 1971; 7518th Communications Squadron and the 7519th Communications Squadron, 1 September 1959 – 1 July 1962. Over the years it was redesignated many times: on 24 March 1976 it was designated the 3rd Combat Communications Group; on 15 August 1984 it was designated the 3rd Information Systems Group; and returned to the designation 3rd Combat Communications Group on 1 October 1986. Since 1964 it has been assigned to various organizations of the Air Force Communications Service/Command, on 1 October 1990 it became part of the Tactical Air Command, and then Air Combat Command.

On 5 October 2009, the 3rd CCG was realigned underneath the newly activated 689th Combat Communications Wing, headquartered at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. With this realignment, the group now fell under the Twenty-Fourth Air Force and Air Force Space Command.

The 3rd Combat Communications Group inactivated on 30 September 2013.

Assignments

• 8 July 1957 – Activated under the Third Air Force as the 3rd Communications Group
• 1 July 1962 – 3rd Communications Group inactivated
• 20 May 1964 – Reactivated as 3rd Mobile Communications Group
  • Assigned to Air Force Communications Command
• 24 March 1976 – Designated 3rd Combat Communications Group
• 15 August 1984 – Designated 3rd Informations Systems Group
• 1 October 1986 – Redesignated 3rd Combat Communications Group
• 1 October 1990 – Assigned to Tactical Air Command (to be later acquired by Air Combat Command)
• 5 October 2009 – Realigned underneath the 689th Combat Communications Wing, Twenty-Fourth Air Force, Air Force Space Command
• 30 September 2013 - Inactivated

Major command

• Air Force Communications Command (1964–1990)
• Tactical Air Command (1990–1992)
• Air Combat Command (1992–2009)
• Air Force Space Command (2009 – 2013)

Commanders

• Maj James M Dunn (May 1957 – Jun 1961)
• Lt Col Gilbert H Bertie (Jun 1961 – Jun 1962)
• Lt Col Stanley J Washuk (Jun 1962 – May 1964)
• Lt Col John R Coonan (May 1964 – Jul 1964)
• Col William T Judkins (Jul 1964 – Dec 1965)
• Col John T Ford (Dec 1965 – Aug 1968)
• Col Ralph E McDaniel (Aug 1968 – Sep 1969)
• Col Francis W Fender (Sep 1969 – Mar 1971)
• Col Robert W Pool (Mar 1971 – Apr 1973)
• Col John D Nolan (Apr 1973 – Dec 1973)
• Col Lowell F Bohn (Dec 1973 – Jun 1976)
• Col Paul W Edwards (Jun 1976 – Jul 1978)
• Col Ronald H McKinney (Jul 1978 – Sep 1980)
• Col James Selph (Sep 1980 – Dec 1982)
• Col Gerald L Boynton (Dec 1982 – May 1984)
• Col Phillip J Lurie (May 1984 – Jan 1986)
• Col Buford R Witt (Jan 1986 – Jul 1988)
• Col Carl E Stoops (Jul 1988 – Aug 1990)
• Col Robert A Allen Jr (Aug 1990 – Jul 1992)
• Col Dale W Meyerrose (Jul 1992 – Jun 1994)
• Col J D Wells (Jun 1994 – May 1995)
• Col Stephen R Quick (May 1995 – Jul 1997)
• Col David J Kovach (Jul 1997 – May 1999)
• Col Daniel R Dinkins (May 1999 – Jul 2001)
• Col Gregory L Brundidge (Jul 2001 – May 2003)
• Col Carl Williamson (May 2003 – Apr 2005)
• Col Tracy A Amos (Apr 2005 – Feb 2006)
• Col James H Appleyard Jr (Mar 2006 – Apr 2008)
• Col Thomas A Byrge Jr (Apr 2008 – Jun 2010)
• Col David S Babyak (Jun 2010 – June 2012)
• Col Matthew C Harris (Jun 2012 – Sep 2013)

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
  • 1 July 1960 – 1 February 1962 (DAFSO G-92/62)
  • 1 January 1965 – 31 December 1966 (DAFSO GB-239/67)
  • 1 May 1970 – 31 December 1971 (DAFSO GB-407/74)
  • 1 January 1972 – 31 December 1972 (DAFSO GB-602/73)
  • 1 January 1974 – 31 December 1974 (DAFSO GB-682/75)
  • 1 January 1975 – 31 December 1975 (DAFSO GB-955/76)
  • 1 January 1978 – 31 December 1978 (DAFSO GB-635/79)
  • 12 November 1984 – 3 June 1985 (DAFSO GB-61/85)
  • 1 January 1986 – 31 December 1987 (DAFSO GB-433/88)
  • 1 May 1990 – 30 April 1992 (TAC SO GA-50/92)
  • 1 April 1992 – 31 March 1994 (ACC SO GA-325/94)
  • 1 April 1994 – 31 December 1994 (ACC SO GA-307/95)
  • 1 January 1995 – 31 May 1996 (ACC SO GA-83/96)
  • 1 June 1996 – 31 May 1997 (ACC SO GA-61/97)
  • 1 June 1997 – 31 May 1999 (ACC SO GA-56/99)
  • 1 June 1999 – 31 May 2001 (ACC SO GA-88/01)
  • 1 June 2001 – 31 May 2002 (ACC SO GA-091)
  • 1 June 2007 – 31 May 2008
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer for GRENADA 1983 (AFP 900-2, AFMPC/DPMASA ltr, dtd 3 June 1990)
• Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
  • 1 June 2003 – 31 May 2005 (USCENTAF G-0372)
  • 2008
• Maj. Gen. Harold M. McClelland Award (2005 AF level)

History Site

Please visit www.3rdherd.org for articles, pictures, and stories about the Herd for historical purposes. There will be pictures, videos, and an archive of material for viewing, editing and contributing.

References

1. Tim Talley, Associated Press, Air Force cutting 600-person Tinker unit, 6 March 2012
2. Air Force Space Command Public Affairs, Inactivation of the 3rd Combat Communications Group Archived 6 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
3. AFSPC vice commander addresses 3rd Herd impending inactivation Archived 2 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 4 May 2012, Brandice J. O'Brien, Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs
4. "Combat Communications Wing and Group Inactivate". USAF. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
5. Brandice J. Armstrong, 3rd CCG earns Meritorious Unit Award Archived 5 August 2012 at archive.today, Tinker Public Affairs, 9 November 2009
6. Gerald Sonnenberg, Air Force announces integration, information award winners, 15 June 2006, Air Force Communications Agency Public Affairs

v t e USAF Combat Communications Units
Groups	5 CCG 226 CCG 254 CCG
Squadrons	1 CBCS 5 CBCSS 23 CBCS 35 CBCS 51 CBCS 52 CBCS 55 CBCS 147 CBCS 156 CBCS 221 CBCS 232 CBCS 236 CBCS 239 CBCS 242 CBCS 263 CBCS 264 CBCS 265 CBCS 267 CBCS 269 CBCS 271 CBCS 282 CBCS 283 CBCS 291 CBCS 292 CBCS 644 CBCS
Former / Redesignated Units	689 CCW 1 CCG 2 CCG 3 CCG 4 CCG 162 CCG 201 CCG 251 CCG 252 CCG 253 CCG 281 CCG 3 CBCSS 31 CBCS 32 CBCS 33 CBCS 34 CBCS 42 CBCS 53 CBCS 54 CBCS 94 CBCS 148 CBCS 149 CBCS 193 CBCS 222 CBCS 224 CBCS 225 CBCS 228 CBCS 231 CBCS 240 CBCS 256 CBCS 261 CBCS 262 CBCS 280 CBCS 284 CBCS 285 CBCS 293 CBCS 607 CBCS

v t e Space Operations Command
Air Forces	Fourteenth (Strategic)
Centers	Space and Missile Systems Space Innovation and Development 614th Air and Space Operations
Bases	Buckley Los Angeles Patrick Peterson Schriever Thule Vandenberg
Stations	Cape Canaveral Cape Cod Cavalier Cheyenne Mountain Clear Eldorado (closed) Kaena Point New Boston Onizuka (closed)
Space wings	21st 30th 45th 50th 310th 460th
Air Base groups	61st 821st Air Base Group
Squadrons	Command and Control 1st 2d 3d 4th 55th Mobile 119th 153d 222d 721st Mobile Space Control 1st 4th 16th 20th 25th 76th 380th Space Launch 1st 2nd 3d Space Launch Squadron 4th 5th Space Operations 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 19th 21st 22d 23d 111th 148th AFSPC Space Warning 2nd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 137th 213th Others 26th Space Aggressor (AFRC) 527th Space Aggressor (ACC) 3d Space Communications 50th Space Communications 850th Space Communications 1st Space Development Squadron 2d Space Development Squadron 3d Space Development Squadron 3rd Space Experimentation 1st Space Surveillance 3d Space Surveillance 5th Space Surveillance 1st Air and Space Test 2d Test Operations Squadron 3d Space Test Squadron 4th Space Test Squadron 55th Space Weather

v t e United States Air Force
Leadership	Department of the Air Force Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretary of the Air Force Air Staff Chief of Staff Vice Chief of Staff Director of Staff Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Four-star generals Three-star generals 1940–1959 2000–2009 2010–2019 2020–present House Armed Services Committee House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Subcommittee on Airland Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Structure	Commands Reserve Air National Guard Field Operating Agencies Installations Direct Reporting Units District of Washington Operational Test and Evaluation Center USAF Academy Major commands ACC AETC AFGSC AFMC AFRC AFSOC AMC PACAF USAFE–AFAFRICA Numbered Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Expeditionary Fifteenth Sixteenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty-Second Wings ANG Groups ANG Squadrons ANG Security Forces Civilian auxiliary: Civil Air Patrol
Personnel and training	Personnel Rank officers cadets enlisted Specialty Code Aeronautical ratings Judge Advocate General's Corps RED HORSE Security Forces Medical Service Chief of Chaplains Chief Scientist Training: Air Force Academy Officer Training School Reserve Officer Training Corps Basic Training Airman Leadership School SERE Fitness Assessment
Uniforms and equipment	Awards and decorations Badges Equipment Aircraft Uniforms
History and traditions	History Aeronautical Division / Aviation Section / Division of Military Aeronautics / Army Air Service / Army Air Corps / Army Air Forces "The U.S. Air Force" Air Force Band Airman's Creed Core Values Flag Symbol Memorial National Museum Women Airforce Service Pilots Air Force One / Air Force Two Honor Guard Thunderbirds Service numbers Air & Space Forces Association
Category

• Military units and formations in Oklahoma
• Communications groups of the United States Air Force