Photo By Airman 1st Class Kurstyn Canida | U.S. Airmen operate a radio frequency analyzer during the Expeditionary Communications...... read more read more
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Mississippi – The 85th Engineering Installation Squadron recently hosted its first-ever in-house Expeditionary Communications Roundup from April 21 to May 1, a joint training exercise that brought together the 211th EIS from Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, Pennsylvania, the 214th EIS from the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, the 241st EIS from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, and the 253rd Inspection Team from Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.
The exercise strengthened mission readiness and enhanced the capabilities of multiple units by simulating a communications outage in a contested environment and providing hands-on training to restore critical communication systems.
A simulated explosion destroyed communication infrastructures, which required rapid restoration of fiber optics and network connectivity from the EIS teams. An Engineering Installation Squadron specializes in the planning, engineering, and physical installation of long term communications infrastructure like fiber optics, antennas, and network systems, making them the behind the scenes force that builds the backbone of connectivity.
Teams worked together at Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport to establish fiber runs and cable drops to a building, ensuring communication was reestablished as quickly as possible. U.S. Air Force Capt. Brian Walters, 85th EIS operations support flight commander, said the exercise allowed all participating units to work together and improve their ability to deploy and set up essential communication systems.
“The Guard units focused on the outside infrastructure, while the 85th EIS concentrated on the inside infrastructure,” said Walters. “In a real-world scenario, we would be connecting these two to restore communication after a significant infrastructure failure.”
They completed the simulated communication restoration by combining fiber installation, signal detection, and configuration of internal network systems, Walters said. They successfully displayed damage assessment and recovery action to enable command and control.
“The team successfully laid 40 lines of cable, setup the network, and installed the ground-to-air simulated Network Control Center during the exercise,” said 1st Lt. Jennifer Hernandez, 85th EIS project engineer.
The XCOMM Roundup included portions other than the communication restoration, such as a combatives instruction designed to ensure Airmen remain ready to defend themselves and their teammates in contested environments.
“This is expeditionary communications,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Zinnen, 85th EIS cyberspace systems integrator. “We’re expected to operate in conflict zones, so being technically skilled isn't enough. You need to be physically capable and mentally prepared.”
Another course included interactive instruction inside the 85th EIS’s network lab, giving visiting units a look at how other EIS units operate. Zinnen said they were so impressed with the setup that they want to replicate similar capabilities at their home stations.
“This kind of knowledge sharing helps standardize expectations and capabilities across the force,” he said.
In addition to the EIS units, The Spectrum Awareness and Resolution Team also played a vital role during the XCOMM Roundup. The team specializes in delivering electromagnetic spectrum support, deploying globally to identify and resolve signal interference, conduct radio frequency geolocation, and perform electromagnetic compatibility surveys.
“These two weeks are about getting the whole engineering installation force on the same page, operating at the same level, and ensuring that we’re ready to accomplish the mission no matter where we’re called to go,” said Walters.
The XCOMM Roundup marked a milestone for the 85th EIS, setting a foundation for future collaboration between active-duty and Guard engineering installation units. By combining field exercises, hands-on technical training and real-world problem solving, the event reinforced a shared commitment to building a capable, connected, and ready force.
| Date Taken: | 05.09.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2025 10:41 |
| Story ID: | 497569 |
| Location: | BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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