Photo By Airman 1st Class Stan Pak | The Hawaii Air National Guard's 293rd Combat Communications Sqaudron stands in...... read more read more
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The Hawaii Air National Guard recently gave a final farewell to the 293rd Combat Communications Squadron. A deactivation ceremony held here on Nov. 6 marked the end of nearly five decades of distinguished service.
Col. Duke Ota, commander of the 154th Mission Support Group, officiated the inactivation ceremony. In his remarks, Ota celebrated the achievements and long standing of the unit.
“Today is a bittersweet day as we deactivate the 293rd CBCS…the 293rd CBCS was activated into federal service on March 6th, 1967, right here on Hickam Air Force Base as it was known at the time.” said Col. Duke Ota, commander, 154th Mission Support Group.
Ota also remarked on the importance of the unit’s federal and state responsibilities.
“The squadron’s assigned federal mission was to provide operationally ready combat communications capabilities for times of wars, national emergencies, and operational contingencies.” Ota said. “The squadron’s assigned state mission was to provide trained communications airmen to the governor of Hawaii, the adjutant general to protect Hawaii citizens and property, preserve peace, and ensure public safety in response of natural or human caused disasters.”
Past and present members of the 293rd, other HIANG Airmen, community members, family and friends, all came together to honor and give thanks to the generations of Airmen who served in the unit and pay tribute to the legacy of one of the HIANG’s most senior element.
In read remarks, Maj. Dane Minami, who once served as one of the unit’s commanders, said the 293rd will live on in the hearts and minds of those who served in the unit.
“I will always treasure my time with this incredible unit,” Minami said. “Even though the unit is officially closing its doors today, the proud legacy of the 293rd will continue to live on in the memories of those who called the organization home.”
Many of the airmen from the 293 CBCS would commute from Kauai during drill weekends. The 293 CBCS became the first geographically split operations combat communications squadron in both the Air Force as well as the Air National Guard.
With the casing of the colors the 293 CBCS was given a final thank you and farewell from the HIANG as the unit designation reverts back to the control of the Department of the Air Force.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.09.2016 15:41 |
| Story ID: | 217105 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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