Throughout its 56 years of existence, the 3rd Combat Communications Group has been "an elite combat support outfit," retired Brig. Gen. Randy Witt said here recently. "This combat communications business really is different for the Air Force. It's combat support work."
General Witt, along with retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley and Col. David Babyak, Chief of Staff of the 24th Air Force and Air Force Network Operations, were featured speakers at the 3rd CCG's alumni luncheon May 31 at the Tinker Club. All three previously served in the group, commonly called the 3rd Herd.
When then-Lieutenant Colonel Witt assumed command of the 3rd CCG in 1986, the group was part of the Air Force Communications Command. He said he was worried about an upcoming operational readiness inspection because a three-star general had told him the group barely passed the same type of inspection the previous year. The general said he quickly whipped the unit into shape. For example, 3rd CCG vehicles were parked "helter skelter before we lined them up like the Thunderbirds at an air show."
Under Colonel Witt's direction the 3rd Herd won the AFCC Commander's Achievement Award, the worldwide tactical communications competition, and was named the best communications group in the Air Force, winning the Harold McClelland Trophy.
Colonel Babyak, who commanded the 3rd CCG from June 2010 through June 2012, said he continues to be impressed with the 3rd Herd's "ability to get things done." Asked for his advice to young officers on how to navigate the future of combat communication, the colonel replied, "It's not just operations and communications anymore; future cyber leaders need to understand what the intelligence community brings to the fight."
Chief McKinley said the 3rd Herd is known for "attention to details and standards," and he urged personnel of the 3rd CCG to "be proud of the lineage that's the 3rd Herd." The chief served as a first sergeant for the 3rd Combat Communications Support Squadron while stationed at Tinker in 1994-2000.
The chief said that change in the Air Force is inevitable. To illustrate, he noted that during World War II it often took an entire fleet of bombers to destroy a single target. Today, he said, one B-2 can lift off from Missouri, fly overseas and release munitions that destroy multiple targets, then return home in time for the pilot to eat dinner with his family. "We've changed, we've evolved," the chief said.
More than 100 officers, enlisted personnel and retirees attended the alumni luncheon. Among the guests was retired Lt. Col. Harl Porter of Charleston, S.C., "from the Class of '75-'78." Col. Matthew C. Harris, 3rd CCG commander, hosted the event.