117th Air Control Squadron

Control of the highly charged and congested airspace over a given combat zone is the responsibility of the Georgia Air National Guard’s unique 117th Air Control Squadron (ACS), of Savannah. During exercises, contingencies, or actual war, the 117th ACS’s command and control mission is to provide air support activities and to advise and assist the ground force commander in planning, requesting, coordinating and controlling close air support, tactical air reconnaissance, and tactical airlift.

Trained air controllers have the responsibility of directing aircraft entering, exiting or crossing congested airspace using an array of sophisticated radar equipment and

sensors that provide greater coverage than most small city airports.

The 117th became the first air control squadron to participate in the Joint User Interface Communications Evaluation in June 2011. This exercise tested tactical communications equipment employment, and this year the exercise specifically evaluated a new “everything over IP” method of digitalizing all communications.

The 117th was the first Air Guard ACS to receive new command and control software, and the unit was also specifically chosen to be the first ACS (active duty or Air National Guard) to receive a major upgrade to the TRC-215 Remote Radar/Radio System due to unit expertise.

During 2011, the 117th focused on reconstitution and training of its unit following the 2010 deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit also received

a simulation training upgrade that allows its simulation equipment to link into the Air Force’s secure Distributed Mission Operations network.

Not only have operations personnel excelled at providing command and control for the air war over Afghanistan and Iraq during recent deployments, but the maintenance team also continues to assure a 100% operational rate for its myriad of high-tech communications equipment.

165th Air Support Operations Squadron

Close air support for advancing ground units is often critical in perilous combat environments like Afghanistan.

The “Battlefield Airmen” of Brunswick’s 165th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) deploy with, advise, and assist joint force commanders in planning, requesting, coordinating and controlling close air support, reconnaissance, and tactical airlift missions.

Georgia is one of only 14 states that have an Air Guard ASOS. The in-demand 52 tactical air control parties of Georgia’s 165th ASOS have been deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. They were even on the ground in

Afghanistan during the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s most recent deployment – providing a unique example of wartime interoperability between Georgia Army Guard and Georgia Air Guard forces.

Ten members of the 165 ASOS trained with the 284th ASOS, Kan. Air National Guard the last few months of 2011 in preparation for 2012 deployments to Afghanistan.

The 165th ASOS also sent the only team to represent either the Air Guard or the Air Force at the 2011 Leapfest, the largest continuously conducted airborne competition in the world.

23 | Georgia Department of Defense