About this Unit
The Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) was established in 1961, evolving from earlier Air Force communications organizations to centralize and manage global communications and information systems for the United States Air Force. Headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, AFCC played a critical role in providing secure, reliable command, control, and communications (C3) support during the Cold War and beyond. The command oversaw the development, installation, and maintenance of communication networks, radar sites, and computer systems vital to Air Force operations worldwide. In 1991, AFCC was redesignated as the Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency (AFCCC), reflecting its expanding mission in the information age.
Historical Facts
• Origins in World War II: The Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) traces its lineage to the Army Airways Communications System, established in 1938 to provide reliable communications for military aviation during World War II.
• Official Formation: The unit was officially designated as the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) on July 1, 1961, and later redesignated as Air Force Communications Command in 1979.
• Global Reach: At its height, AFCC operated thousands of communications sites around the world, supporting U.S. Air Force operations on every continent, including remote outposts in Greenland and Antarctica.
• Critical Role in Vietnam: AFCC units built and maintained vital communication networks during the Vietnam War, enabling command, control, and air operations across Southeast Asia.
• Strategic Air Command Support: AFCC provided essential communications for the Strategic Air Command’s nuclear deterrence mission, ensuring secure links between bomber and missile forces and national command authorities.
• Early Adopter of Technology: AFCC was a pioneer in adopting satellite communications and computer networking, laying the groundwork for today’s global military information systems.
• Operation Desert Storm: During the 1991 Gulf War, AFCC rapidly deployed advanced communication packages to support air operations, enabling real-time coordination and target updates.
• Cybersecurity Roots: AFCC’s mission evolved in the 1980s and 1990s to include computer security, making it one of the earliest military organizations to address cyber threats.
• Famous Alumni: Several AFCC commanders and personnel later held high-ranking positions in the Air Force, including General Larry D. Welch, who became Air Force Chief of Staff.
• Transition and Legacy: In 1991, AFCC was redesignated as the Air Force Communications Agency, marking a shift toward information and cyber operations. Its legacy continues in today’s Air Force cyber and communications units.
