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History of AIR FORCE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE (AFCS)

The Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) was established on 15 November 1948 to centralize and manage the United States Air Force's growing communications and information systems. Originally tasked with providing global communications, air traffic control, and navigational aids, AFCS played a critical role in supporting both peacetime and combat operations throughout the Cold War. Over the decades, AFCS evolved to incorporate emerging technologies and increased its mission to include computer systems and information security. In 1979, AFCS was redesignated as the Air Force Communications Command, reflecting its expanded responsibilities in the digital age.

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ABOUT AIR FORCE COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE (AFCS)

  • Origins in World War II: The Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) traces its roots to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS) established in 1938, which provided vital communications for air operations during WWII.
  • Official Establishment: AFCS was officially activated as a separate major command of the United States Air Force on 15 July 1961, reflecting the growing importance of communications in modern warfare.
  • Global Communications Network: At its height, AFCS managed thousands of communication sites in over 60 countries, operating one of the largest and most complex global communications networks in the world.
  • Vietnam War Contributions: AFCS played a crucial role in the Vietnam War by establishing and maintaining secure communication lines, supporting both air and ground operations across Southeast Asia.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, AFCS units provided essential real-time communications between U.S. leadership and deployed forces, contributing to national security during a tense standoff.
  • Satellite Communications Pioneers: AFCS was instrumental in the development and deployment of early military satellite communications, including the use of satellites like the Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP).
  • Air Traffic Control: In addition to communications, AFCS was responsible for Air Force air traffic control operations, ensuring the safe movement of military aircraft worldwide.
  • Cold War Era Innovations: The command implemented advanced technologies such as troposcatter, microwave relay, and high-frequency radio to ensure reliable, long-range communications during the Cold War.
  • Name Changes and Legacy: In 1979, AFCS was redesignated as the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC), and its lineage continues today within the Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC).
  • Motto and Emblem: The AFCS motto was “First Voice Heard... Last Voice Heard,” symbolizing its commitment to ensuring communications from the start to the end of military operations. Its emblem featured a globe and lightning bolts, representing worldwide reach and speed.

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