254th Combat Communications Group
The 254th Combat Communications Group is a Texas Air National Guard unit that provides deployable communications planning, engineering, coordination, and tactical network capabilities for federal and state missions.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 254th Combat Communications Group is a non-flying unit of the Texas Air National Guard headquartered at Hensley Field in Dallas, Texas. It is organized to provide communications capabilities in environments where fixed infrastructure may be limited, damaged, unavailable, or unable to support the needs of a combatant command, joint task force, or civil authority. The group's work encompasses communications planning, engineering, command-level coordination, and the delivery of tactical voice and data systems. The organization has both a federal mission and a state mission. In federal service, it supplies a broad communications capability to operational commanders and supports the deployment of personnel and equipment to military theaters and exercises. The group also provides functional leadership and advocacy for eight aligned units distributed across seven states. Its command relationships have changed over time: it operated under the Air Force Communications Command from 1971 to 1992, the Air Combat Command from 1992 to 2008, Air Force Space Command from 2008 to 2018, and Air Combat Command again from 2018 onward, according to the unit's published historical account. The reference material also describes Air Force Space Command as the operational commander for mobilization during the 2008–2018 period. In its state role, the group provides ready forces to Texas during local or statewide emergencies. Its stated priorities are protecting life and property and preserving peace, order, and public safety. It can provide the Texas Adjutant General with voice and data capabilities in austere conditions, making the unit relevant to disaster response and emergency communications as well as military operations. The group was established in June 1971 as the 254th Mobile Communications Group. It was redesignated the 254th Combat Information Systems Group in July 1985 and adopted its current name, 254th Combat Communications Group, in October 1986. Its organizational history includes associations with communications and air traffic control units across several states and territories. The group was initially colocated with the 221st Mobile Communications Squadron and had assigned units in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The 254th has deployed personnel and equipment throughout the United States and internationally. Its documented federal support includes operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Domestically, it has supported recovery and emergency-response activity after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, and Harvey, among other events. It has also contributed communications support to Space Shuttle launches in conjunction with Operation Noble Eagle and helped move the 624th Operations Center from Barksdale Air Force Base to Joint Base San Antonio. More recent activity has included support for United States Air Forces in Europe exercises connected with the European Reassurance Initiative. The unit is not a commercial brand or a consumer-facing company. Its identity functions as an institutional designation within the Air National Guard, representing a specialized military communications organization whose value lies in readiness, deployability, interoperability, and support to operational or emergency authorities. The available reference material identifies Colonel Eric G. Hayes as commander and records a Meritorious Unit Award and multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, including recognition listed for 2021, 2016, 2014, 2008, 2006, and 1978.
History
The 254th Combat Communications Group traces its organizational history to June 1971, when it was formed as the 254th Mobile Communications Group. The headquarters was associated with the 221st Mobile Communications Squadron and initially included units in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The unit belonged to the Air National Guard communications structure and was aligned with the Air Force Communications Command during its early decades. In July 1985, the organization became the 254th Combat Information Systems Group. That designation lasted until October 1986, when it was redesignated the 254th Combat Communications Group, the name it retains. The changes reflected evolving Air Force terminology and the broadening role of communications organizations from mobile communications toward integrated combat information and communications support. The group has maintained a headquarters presence in Texas. Its listed station was Garland Air National Guard Station until 2010, after which the headquarters moved to Hensley Field, where it remains based. Over its history, the organization has been associated with a changing network of subordinate and aligned squadrons. These have included combat communications units in California, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Washington, Illinois, Hawaii, and Guam, as well as previously assigned engineering installation, air traffic control, and combat communications units in several other states and territories. Its federal role is to provide communications planning, engineering, command-level coordination, and tactical communications solutions for combatant commands or joint task forces. The group also supports eight aligned units across seven states through functional advocacy and leadership. When mobilized, the organization operates within the federal military command structure and can deploy personnel and equipment to operational theaters. The group has supported federal operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Its domestic activities have included assistance during recovery operations following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, and Harvey. It also supported Space Shuttle launches in connection with Operation Noble Eagle and contributed to the relocation of the 624th Operations Center from Barksdale Air Force Base to Joint Base San Antonio. In Europe, the group and aligned squadrons supported United States Air Forces in Europe exercises associated with the European Reassurance Initiative. The unit's state mission complements its federal role. It provides ready forces to Texas during emergencies, with an emphasis on protecting life and property and maintaining public safety. It can also furnish voice and data services to the Texas Adjutant General in austere environments. This dual mission gives the group a role in both national defense and state-level disaster response. The group's recorded gaining-command relationships changed over time. It was associated with Air Combat Command from 1992 to 2008, Air Force Space Command from 2008 to 2018, and Air Combat Command again from 2018 onward. The unit's published account records a Meritorious Unit Award and multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, with award years listed as 1978, 2006, 2008, 2014, 2016, and 2021. The available reference identifies Colonel Eric G. Hayes as commander.
- 2021
Recorded unit awards
[1]The unit's history lists a Meritorious Unit Award and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award recognition for 2021.
- 2018
Return to Air Combat Command
[1]The group's listed gaining command returned to Air Combat Command.
- 2010
Move to Hensley Field
[1]The headquarters station changed from Garland Air National Guard Station to Hensley Field, Texas.
- 2008
Gaining-command relationship changed to Air Force Space Command
[1]The group was listed under Air Force Space Command from 2008 through 2018.
- 1992
Gaining-command relationship changed to Air Combat Command
[1]The group's listed gaining command changed from Air Force Communications Command to Air Combat Command.
- 1986
Adoption of the current name
[1]In October 1986, the unit became the 254th Combat Communications Group.
- 1985
Redesignation as the 254th Combat Information Systems Group
[1]The organization changed its designation in July 1985 as its communications and information-systems role evolved.
- 1971
Organization as the 254th Mobile Communications Group
[1]The headquarters was organized in June 1971 and initially operated alongside the 221st Mobile Communications Squadron, with assigned units in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Products and positioning
A deployable Air National Guard communications organization positioned around readiness, engineering expertise, command coordination, tactical connectivity, and support for both military operations and Texas emergency response.
Military communications capability
Deployable combat communications
The group's core capability is the planning, engineering, coordination, and fielding of tactical communications solutions for combatant commands and joint task forces. These capabilities are intended for operational environments where communications must be established, expanded, or sustained away from permanent infrastructure.
Emergency communications capability
Emergency voice and data support
For its Texas state mission, the group provides voice and data capabilities to the Texas Adjutant General and supplies ready forces during local or statewide emergencies. The capability is designed for austere conditions and supports public safety, protection of life and property, and emergency coordination.
Marketing campaigns
- Federal operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait
Iraq · Afghanistan · Kuwait
The group deployed personnel and equipment in support of federal military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait.
Outcome. The deployments provided communications support to U.S. operations in the listed theaters.
- Hurricane recovery support
Texas · United States
The group supported recovery operations connected with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, and Harvey, among other emergencies.
Outcome. The unit contributed communications and emergency-response capabilities during disaster recovery efforts.
- Operation Noble Eagle and Space Shuttle launch support
United States
The group supported Space Shuttle launches in conjunction with Operation Noble Eagle.
Outcome. The activity extended the unit's communications role to a major U.S. aerospace and homeland-defense support context.
- European Reassurance Initiative exercises
Europe
The group and its aligned squadrons supported multiple United States Air Forces in Europe exercises associated with the European Reassurance Initiative.
Outcome. The support demonstrated the group's continuing ability to provide deployable communications capabilities in overseas exercises.
Sources1 sources
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