224th Joint Communications Support Squadron

224th Joint Communications Support Squadron
224th JCSS Emblem
Active1 July 1952–present[1]
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Georgia Air National Guard
RoleRapid deployable communications
Part of Joint Communications Support Element
Garrison/HQBrunswick, Georgia
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Lathan
Insignia
Stylized version of the squadron's emblem

The large five point star represent the rapid satellite communications reaching out to all. The smaller four stars represent the four military branches they serve. The rainbow represents the unit’s location in the Golden Isles of Georgia.[1]

The 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron (224th JCSS), located in Brunswick, Georgia, provides deployable tactical communications for Joint Task Force (JTF) Headquarters and Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) Headquarters. It can operate in environments without a reliable terrestrial network. The squadron operationally reports to the Joint Communications Support Element of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command—a direct reporting unit of U.S. Transportation Command—at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Mission

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The 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron is often the first to deploy in order to establish communications networks and other C4 services to enhance command and control between units, services, or coalition forces. Georgia's 224th JCSS can globally deploy within 72 hours of notification to provide scalable C4 support to geographic combatant commands and U.S. Special Operations Command.[2]

Lineage

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  • 224th Radio Relay Squadron, organized 1 Jul 1952[1]
  • Redesignated 224th Mobile Communication Squadron, 16 March 1961[1]
  • Redesignated 224th Combat Communications Squadron (Contingency), 16 Mar 1968[1]
  • Redesignated 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, 1 July 1985[1]

Deployments

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The unit expanded its mission in 2010 by bringing Deployable Joint Command and Control systems to JCSE from SOUTHCOM Headquarters in Miami. Georgia Guardsmen boarded USS Iwo Jima for a five-month deployment providing support to the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps forces during Operation Continuing Promise 2010, a 13-Caribbean country humanitarian relief campaign.

Guardsmen of the 224th also deployed to Pakistan during the 2010 flood disaster to provide communications for the host nation and Department of Defense support efforts.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f 224th JOINT COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SQUADRON, usafunithistory.com, Air Force Lineage and Honors, dated 6 May 2020, last accessed 13 February 2021
  2. ^ "Georgia Department of Defense 2010 Annual Report". Georgia Department of Defense. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
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