Photo By Lauren Boggs | Airman 1st Class Nelson Ovalle, left, 5th Combat Communication Squadron commander...... read more read more
A new chapter in the Liberaider legacy began as the 461st Air Control Wing officially redesignated as the 461st Wing during a ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Aug. 27, 2026.
Brig. Gen. Jack Arthaud, Fifteenth Air Force deputy commander, presided over the ceremony, celebrating the wing’s storied history before Col. Sandra Bonney, 461st Wing commander, discussed its future.
“The 461st Wing has a distinguished lineage spanning 27 years of active service since its initial activation from 1943 to 1945. The Liberaiders’ legacy was built on the shoulders of brave men and women who provided vital command and control, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities to our joint force across the entire spectrum of conflict,” said Arthaud.
As the 461st Wing guidon was unfurled, the moment marked the dropping of “air control” from the unit's name, a shift acknowledging a broader scope of capabilities. While the event represented the modernization of the wing's identity, the unit’s core focus on delivering battle management command and control, combat communications, and expeditionary airfield operations remains unchanged.
According to leadership, keeping that focus steady relies on the Airmen executing the mission. “The continuity of the Liberaider spirit is not found in our patch or our letterhead, but in the actions of our Airmen,” said Bonney. “Our teams have demonstrated adaptability, excellence and a commitment to mission that is second to none.”
The 461st Wing has recently grown to 10 squadrons,renaming several units to better reflect their missions. This includes the realignment of the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, under the wing, and the redesignation of the 461st Air Control Networks Squadron to the 461st Air Communications Squadron.
These internal changes mirror broader advancements across the wing’s groups. The 461st Operations Group is transitioning to ground-based Battle Control Center operations, a technological advancement that preserves the wing's ability to deliver persistent, survivable command and control. Meanwhile, the 5th Combat Communications Group has surged to meet global demands, supporting deployments at a pace not seen in 35 years.
“This year alone, Liberaider Airmen have deployed to every single combatant command and participated in every single major named operation. If you saw it on the news, we were there,” said Bonney. The commander noted modernization efforts and operational surges will be heavily supported by infrastructure investments such as the $104 million Battle Management Operations Center that is in progress at Robins AFB.
Looking forward, the 461st Wing’s focus remains on supporting global operations and maintaining the Liberaider legacy of excellence, adaptability and service.
“When the nation needs to project power, when an airfield must be open, communications established, or battle management delivered, they call the Liberaiders.”
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2026 13:54 |
| Story ID: | 573592 |
| Location: | ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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