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Video by Tech. Sgt. Elise Rich

Communication is Key

131st Bomb Wing

May 18, 2017 | 2:14

In the hills of South St. Louis sits the historic Missouri Air National Guard base, Jefferson Barracks. Jefferson Barracks is the oldest operating military base west of the Mississippi. But don’t let the old time feel of Jefferson Barracks fool you, JB is is the home of the 239th Combat communications Squadron, a premier cyberspace source for the Air Force. The 239th provides expeditionary theater deployable base communications and spectrum capabilities. They can turn an isolated area into a communications hub in less than 72 hours.

Meeting the members of the 239th there is a clear understanding that each function within the unit is key to the others success.

(Multiple interviews and soundbites)

Over and over again it was said that a big reason members joined the Missouri air National Guard was because of the invaluable skills they would learn. However, once in the unit there is a realization that it’s the friendships they have gained, that may be the biggest benefit of all.

The 239th Combat Communications squadron is part of the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing. Currently half of the citizen-airmen of the 239th are deployed to overseas locations around the world. Members of the 131st bomb wing have a unique role in which they serve both state and federal missions.

TSgt Elise Rich

Missouri Air National Guard, 131st Bomb wing Whiteman AFB