JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Oahu residents with the 291st and 292nd Combat Communications Squadrons (CBCS) experienced an unconventional drill weekend June 6-7, training at JBPH-H instead of with their respective units on neighboring islands.
Normally, these ‘commuter’ Airmen wake up well before sunrise and are airlifted to their geographically separated units, with the 291st located at Hilo and the 292nd located in Maui.
The change in routine for monthly training was made to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 to other islands, following a three-month cessation of regular training.
Unlike most Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen who report to various Oahu island units for monthly training, ‘combat comm’ Airmen spend the vast majority of their careers at geographically separated units, isolated from the thousands of Airmen who comprise their extended ohana, or family.
For Master Sgt. Christopher Hipsher, a cybersecurity technician assigned to the 291st CBCS, the occasion marked an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues and network with others.
“Over the years, I’ve made a lot of friends who I’ve worked with overseas and we’ve gone through training together,” said Hipsher. “but now I get to see people who I haven’t seen for a long time. It’s also good to meet and get to know our leadership because we don’t get the chance to see them face-to-face too frequently.”
As communications experts, standing up an alternative training location was relatively simple, said Hipsher. The combat unit specialized in setting up communications channels in virtually any location, enabling commanders and tactical-level Airmen to securely transmit information back and forth in deployed environments.
While the grounded communications teams on Oahu had to modify their usual training curriculum, which entails familiarization training of radio, satellite and other communications equipment, the Airmen were able to set up teleconference channels and experience live discussions and command briefings and celebrate their peers as they were promoted in real-time.
Unlike the virtual meetings that were synced across secure web cameras to Maui and ‘The Big Island,’ the restrained movement also allowed CBCS Airmen to receive face-to-face services they don’t have normally use.
“As a GSU, we have had a lot of challenges being so remote,” said Senior Airman Sean Brown, 291st CBCS cyber surety technician. “For example, if we need medical support, we would need to send people over to the ‘Med Group’ here, and plan an entire drill around our medical readiness needs. But with this weekend, we’re fortunate to have all the support facilities within walking distance. Even when it’s something small, like getting a signature.”
The 291st and 292nd CBCSs are prepared to set up command and control and communications capabilities in forward-operating bases on short notice. Communication resources are also used for humanitarian and natural-disaster scenarios at home and abroad.
With a broad spectrum of capabilities for domestic and overseas operations, much of combat comms’ effectiveness is attributed to their regular drills, whether they’re held at neighboring islands or alongside the rest of the HIANG’ ohana at JBPH-H.
“I’m really grateful that my family supports me every time I report for drill,” said Staff Sgt. Paquito Jardinaso, 292nd CBCS cyber transport technician. “They understand why I joined and how important my mission is every time I commute to my unit for drill weekend. No, I won’t be bringing back donuts from the outer islands, like I normally do, but it’s much nicer to spend more quality time with them instead.”