The Connection that Cannot Fail: Communications Airmen Keep the 188th Wing Mission-ready

Official Statements

• 188th Wing, November 7: “EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. — When MQ-9 pilots need to fly, sensor operators need to stream real-time video, or maintainers need digital technical orders, the network has to work. For the Airmen of the 188th Communications Squadron, that reliability is the foundation of every mission the Wing executes.

  “Our core responsibility is delivering the secure, reliable communications infrastructure that the Wing needs to execute its mission,” said Lt. Col. Kimberly Hunter, the 188th Communications Squadron commander. “We make sure that everyone, from the Wing Commander to the Airmen conducting 24/7 operations or contractors on the flight line, has the secure networks, systems, and radio communications they need to operate, whether we are working here at home or deployed downrange.”

  That infrastructure underpins nearly every function on the installation. Without it, analysts cannot move targeting data, medical personnel lose access to health records needed to clear members for deployment, and logistics cannot mobilize personnel or cargo. Even routine administrative and resource actions would grind to a halt.

  “Ultimately, every single mission across the Wing relies on a stable network to function,” Hunter said.

  Keeping that network stable is a continuous effort against evolving threats. Cyber attacks are growing faster and more sophisticated, with advances in super intelligence shortening the window Airmen must detect, assess, and remediate vulnerabilities. The squadron responds with around-the-clock monitoring, rapid application of security patches and mitigations, and ongoing refinement of defensive processes. The team prioritizes funding and maintenance for critical systems while planning targeted modernization and training a skilled workforce to operate and defend increasingly complex networks.

  Much of the work happens behind the scenes. TSgt. Andrew Sharp, who supports squadron operations and resource management, spends his days aligning people, training, and requirements so technicians can keep the network running. That includes managing training, coordinating procurement for critical equipment, conducting quality control on network projects, and managing the installation’s communications accounts and invoices to ensure services remain active and paid.

  “It may not always be visible work,” Sharp said, “but if the equipment is not funded, the contracts are delayed, or the communication services are interrupted, it can affect the Wing’s ability to operate. My role is to help remove those barriers before they become mission impacts.”

  As the Wing prepares for the Combat Readiness Exercise (CRE) in early 2027, the squadron is shifting focus from routine base support to validating its ability to survive and operate in a contested environment. “Exercises are valuable because they show where our processes work and where we need to improve,” said Sharp. “They also reinforce how interconnected the squadrons are. Communications, logistics, contracting, security, force support, civil engineering and operations all have to work together for the Wing to succeed during a real-world disruption.”

  During the exercise itself, the team will face simulated cyberattacks, communication outages, and power failures that force them to troubleshoot under pressure, establish alternate channels, and operate in a degraded environment so mission-essential systems stay online.

  Hunter described the balance between constant connectivity and cybersecurity as a daily challenge, especially in contested environments. Airmen train under the assumption that primary connections will be targeted and maintain clear Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) plans so they can roll over to backup channels and keep vital data flowing.

  Sharp, who also serves as an exercise planner and member of the Wing Inspection Team, is helping design injects that test how units respond to realistic disruptions and competing priorities. The goal is to identify gaps, validate resources and processes, and practice coordination before a real-world event.

  “The biggest difference from normal operations will be the pace and prioritization,” said Sharp. “During the CRE, units will have to make faster decisions, prioritize mission-essential capabilities, work through incomplete information, and adapt as conditions change.”