472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron commander, renders his first salute after the stand up of the 472nd ECS at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The 472nd ECS is a geographically separated unit assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron commander, gives a speech during the activation ceremony of the 472nd ECS at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The ceremony was a pivotal step in Robins AFB’s plans to support Combined Joint All- Domain Command and Control operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Col. Brandon Cieloha, 319th Operations Group, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron commander, during the 472nd ECS activation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The ceremony signified the activation of the 472nd ECS as they assume the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Col. Brandon Cieloha, 319th Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 18th Airborne Command and Combat Squadron commander, roll and sheath the 18th ACCS guidon during a deactivation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The lineage of the 18th ACCS traces back to World War II, when the unit was known as the 25th Troop Carrier Squadron, flying the C-47 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Col. Brandon Cieloha, 319th Operations Group commander, receives the guidon from Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron commander, during the 18th ACCS deactivation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The passing of the guidon to the presiding officer symbolizes the deactivation of the 18th ACCS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 18th Command and Control Squadron commander, gives his final salute during the 18th ACCS deactivation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The ceremonial deactivation was followed by the activation of the 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Airmen assigned to the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron salute during the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The deactivation of the 18th ACCS is essential to make way for 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron, which will continue the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node mission and contribute to Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control operations on Robins AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Airmen assigned to the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron salute their commander during the 18th ACCS deactivation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The airmen of the 18th ACCS will continue to support the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node mission as they transition to the newly activated 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

An E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node is parked on the flight line during the 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivation ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, June 16, 2025. The E-11A BACN is a relay and communications aircraft that allows for information exchange between air, ground and maritime sources, it is often referred to as “Wi-Fi in the sky.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk)

472nd Electronic Combat Squadron activates, 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivates

Published June 26, 2025
By Airman 1st Class Emma Funderburk
319th Reconnaissance Wing

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

The 18th Airborne Command and Control Squadron deactivated during a ceremony June 16, 2025. The activation of the 472nd Electronic Combat Squadron immediately followed, signifying a key step in the Air Force’s modernization efforts for future warfighting.

During the ceremony, Col. Brandon Cieloha, 319th Operations Group commander, exchanged guidons with Lt. Col. Richard Elmore, 472nd ECS commander, symbolizing the deactivation of the 18th ACCS and activation of the 472nd ECS.

The 18th ACCS was activated as a geographically separated unit under the 319th Reconnaissance Wing Feb. 22, 2023. Their mission was to manage the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communication Node, a communications and relay gateway system that enables theater-wide communication and data link extension capabilities.

“The 18th ACCS started small, there were maybe a handful of us and now we are comprised of 150 formal training, operations, maintenance, cyber and support personnel,” said Elmore. “With the developments and achievements of our squadron and personnel, the redesignation as 472nd ECS was inevitable to continue the E-11A BACN mission while also assuming new mission sets.”

The redesignation is a part of the Air Force’s Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control initiatives. The 472nd ECS will be co-located with the 461st Air Control Wing, 950th Spectrum Warfare Group and 116th ACW once Robins AFB’s Battle Management Combined Operations Complex is constructed. The BMCOC will serve as a CONUS theater-agnostic, long-range kill chain integrated targeting cell. It will connect legacy command and control agencies and joint multi-domain affecters.

“Designations will change, missions will evolve, but the one constant truth through it all is you, our airmen, the men and women who make our missions happen every day,” said Cieloha. “Your dedication is the reason we are able to forge new mission sets and hold our longstanding partnerships.”