| Unit Name: | 3rd Combat Communications Group |
| Dates: | 1957-2013 |
| Country: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Role: | Tactical communications |
| Size: | Group |
| Command Structure: | 24 AF, Air Force Space Command |
| Current Commander: | Col Harris, Matthew C. (a/o 30 Sep 13 inactivation) |
| Garrison: | Tinker AFB, Oklahoma |
| Nickname: | "Third Herd" |
| Motto: | "Anytime, Anywhere" |
| Mascot: | Buford the Bull |
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.[1] [2] [3]
Media reports state that the 3 CCG was inactivated by order of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.[4] 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.
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.
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.