An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Feb. 4, 2025

Texas Combat Communications Squadron Enhances Readiness

By Staff Sgt. Thomas Johns, 136th Airlift Wing (Texas Air National Guard)

MINERAL WELLS, Texas - The 221st Combat Communications Squadron kicked off the nine-day 2025 FrostByte ACE Exercise at Fort Wolters Training Site Jan. 30, training to set up forward positions in austere locations.

“The goal behind this exercise is to build resiliency while also training multi-capable Airmen,” said Texas Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Colton Brantley, 221st CBCS, chief of operations. “When we deploy, we normally deploy with the Army. This exercise exercises our ability to fly into austere locations, establish communications quickly, and defend our foothold.”

Throughout the exercise, Airmen of the 221st CBCS  practiced skills to better adhere to the multi-capable Airman concept.

“We have to be able to operate all of our own equipment and security. Not only can we run radios, servers and satellite communications, we can also drive our own forklifts,” said Brantley. “The goal is to be 100% self-sufficient. From setting up a base of operations to running our own security.”

The exercise enabled many 221st CBCS Airmen to see plans put into motion, giving them a better understanding of what to expect if they ever deploy to an austere location where resources are limited.

“From the ground up, it’s about building our Airmen’s experience. They’re seeing everything from the pack-up of the convoy, whether it be by road or by air, the defense and eventual movement of themselves and the equipment,” said Texas Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Johnathan Leal, 221st CBCS plans and projects superintendent. “This exercise gets our Airmen comfortable with new equipment, and we get to teach them how to use it in the field. This helps our Airmen gain resiliency and a warfighter mentality.”

To better simulate an austere environment, members of the 221st CBCS flew in with CH-47F Chinook helicopters of the Texas Army National Guard 149th Aviation Battalion out of Hensley Field in Grand Prairie, Texas. The link between sister services was strengthened by flying out the combat communication Airmen.

“Working with the Army gives our Airmen one more tool in their toolbox, which is understanding your sister services, how they talk and operate,” Brantley said.

During the exercise, Airmen of the 221st CBCS received crucial training in the movement of equipment, perimeter security, and sister service communication to mold multi-capable Airmen into efficient warfighters to tackle any future conflict.

“As combat communications Airmen, we are one of the first lines of defense in any conflict,“ Brantley said. “FrostByte ACE allows our Airmen to train for the real world. We want them to get comfortable with being in an uncomfortable situation.” 

 

 

Related Articles
Guardsmen from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin participate in a two-week Army National Guard Defensive Deployable Cyber Operations Systems-Modular Master Gunner Course at Jackson Barracks, a Louisiana National Guard installation in New Orleans, Oct. 28 to Nov. 7, 2024.
NGB Hosts Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations Systems-Modular Master Gunner Course
By Staff Sgt. David C. Kirtland, | Nov. 13, 2024
NEW ORLEANS – The National Guard Bureau hosted the second Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations Systems-Modular (DDS-M) Master Gunner Course at Louisiana National Guard’s Jackson Barracks Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.The course,...

U.S. Army Spc. Randy Garcia, a High Mobility Rocket System crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, supporting 1st Cavalry Division, unloads the rockets from his vehicle for a Table XII live-fire exercise near Tapa, Estonia, Sept. 19, 2024. The 1st Cavalry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe.
Texas Guard Conducts HIMARS Live-Fire Exercise in Estonia
By Sgt. Cecil Elliott II, | Sept. 27, 2024
TAPA, Estonia—Soldiers from Task Force Voit, part of the 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, stood ready with their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to support the 1st Cavalry...

Texas Army National Guard and Chilean army soldiers carry a litter off a U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter while conducting medical evacuation training during Southern Fenix 24 at Campo Militar Pozo Almonte, Chile, Aug. 29, 2024.
Texas Guard, Chilean Medics Train Together at Southern Fenix
By Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Pietrantoni, | Sept. 3, 2024
POZO ALMONTE, Chile – In the hot sun of the Atacama Desert in the Tacapacá region, Texas Army National Guard and Chilean combat medics are working together as part of the State Partnership Program to provide first aid,...