1964th Communications Group

The 1964th Communications Group of the United States Air Force was a highly decorated communications group with service in the Vietnam War and then in Europe.

Group patch from when the unit was in Germany

The Group traced its history to the designation and organization of the 1964th Communications Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Airfield (later, Tan Son Nhut Air Base), South Vietnam, on 1 May 1962, in accordance with AFCS G-23 instructions of 29 March 1962.[1] It was assigned to the Southeast Asia Communications Region (itself part of the Pacific Communications Area), Air Force Communications Service. It was upgraded to Group status on 1 October 1962 and appears to have directed about 10 squadrons in the Republic of Vietnam. It provided communications and navaids for Air Force fixed bases in the country. The group commander also served as the Seventh Air Force director for communications-electronic[2] and as the Southeast Asia Communications Region deputy commander for mainland Southeast Asia.[3]

On 28 March 1973 the group moved without personnel or equipment (WOPE) to Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, and was reassigned to the European Communications Area (AFCS MO-2, 15 March 1973). The European Communications Area later became the European Communications Division; European Information Systems Division; and then the European Communications Division.

In 1984 it became an Information Systems Group. On 1 November 1986 it was redesignated (back) to the 1964th Communications Group (AFCC SO G-O7, 21 October 1986).

By the late 1980s in Germany the group's missions appear to have included telephone, teletype, microwave, cryptographic/dighal subscriber terminal element, secure voice communications, long range navigation, maintenance, and operations within the Federal Republic of Germany.[4]

Roughly at the time of Air Force Communications Command's demise in May 1993, Fletcher's Air Bases, Volume II still listed the group as functioning and located at Ramstein Air Base.[5]

Assignments
  • Southeast Asia Communications Region, 1962
  • European Communications Area (later European Communications Division; European Information Systems Division; and then the European Communications Division), 28 March 1973

After the major reorganization of Air Force Communications Command the group may have been assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe, after 1991.

Components
  • 1876th Communications Squadron designated and organized at Tan Son Nhut Airfield (later, Tan Son Nhut AB), South Vietnam, on 1 November 1965; reassigned on 1 April 1972, and moved to USAF Academy, Colorado (Miller 52).
  • 1878th Communications Squadron designated/organized at Pleiku Airport (later AB), South Vietnam, 1 November 1965 (AFCS G-103, 3 August 1965); reassigned 1 January 1972 and moved to Little Rock AFB, Arkansas
  • 1879th Communications Squadron, Nha Trang, 1 November 1965; reassigned 1 September 1971 and moved to Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri
  • The 1881st Communications Squadron designated and organized at Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam, 15 August 1965; reassigned 31 May 1972 and location changed to Hill Air Force Base, Utah[6]
  • 1882d Communications Squadron designated and organized at Phan Rang, South Vietnam, 1 November 1965; reassigned 1 November 1971 and moved to Bergstrom AFB, Texas;
  • 1883d Communications Squadron designated and organized at Qui Nhon Airfield, South Vietnam, 1 November 1965; moved to Phu Cat Air Base, 1 April 1967; reassigned 30 November 1971 and moved to Kincheloe Air Force Base, Michigan[7]
  • 1965th Communications Squadron, designated and organized at Don Muang Airport, Thailand, 1 October 1964, and assigned to 1964 CG; reassigned 1 November 1965 to the 1974th Communications Group[8]
  • 1972d Communications Squadron designated and organized at Da Nang Airport, South Vietnam, 20 August 1965 (AFCS G-73, 18 May 1965, amended by G-105, 4 August 1965); reassigned 13 March 1973 and moved to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida[9]

Awards and decorations

References
  1. Miller 1990, p. 183.
  2. Command and Control and Communications Structures in Southeast Asia By John J. Lane, p142.
  3. Air Force Communications Service: Providing the Reins of Command, 1968.
  4. Miller 1990, p. 185.
  5. Fletcher, Harry R. (1993). Air Force Bases, Vol. II, Air Bases Outside the United States of America (PDF). Reference Series. Washington, D.C.: Center for Air Force History. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-912799-53-7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-05-21.
  6. Miller 1990, p. 283.
  7. Miller 1990, p. 383.
  8. Miller 1990, p. 95.
  9. Miller 1990, p. 353.
  10. DAF order GB-796, 1970
  11. DAF order GB-135, 1972
  12. DAF order GB-164, 1973
  13. DAF order GB-488, 1973
  14. DAF order GB-783, 1977
  15. DAF order GB-696, 1983
  16. AFCC order GA-203, 1990
  17. DAF GB-346 1975
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