285th Civil Engineering Squadron

The United States Air Force's 285th Civil Engineering Squadron (285 CES) is an Air National Guard civil engineering unit located at St Croix ANGS.

History
On 7 May 1980 the 285th Combat Communications Flight (CMBTCF) was established, creating the first unit of the Virgin Islands Air National Guard. The flight was upgraded to a squadron in 1996 and made a name for itself following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo to the region in 1989, when the unit and its installation became the heart of recovery operations for St. Croix.

Over the years, the unit has been involved in several contingency operations, to include Joint Endeavor, Uphold Democracy, Joint Forge, and both Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

On 3 March 2012 the unit was redesignated a Civil Engineer Squadron after losing its communications mission. <!-- The federal mission of 285 CMBTCF was to provide communications-electronics support for operational commands with the primary focus in Southwest Asia. With the support of the National Guard Bureau, the Virgin Islands Government, the Virgin Islands Army National Guard, and the Alabama Air National Guard, the 285 CMBTCF began staffing, equipping, and training to support its federal and territorial mission. Schools, staff assistance visits, unit training exercises, and participation in field training exercises were all used as means meeting this requirement.

The Virgin Islands activated the Territorial Headquarters of Virgin Islands Air National Guard on 1 April 1983, with one officer and one enlisted assigned. The commander of the 285th CMBTCF also served on the Adjutant General’s staff as the Executive Support Staff Officer (ESSO) for the VIANG.

Groundbreaking for St Croix ANG Station at Estate Mannings Bay began in July 1985. The $1.4 million dollar, hurricane resistant facility was completed and dedicated as the St Croix Air National Guard Station in October 1986. During this same time, the unit received an AN/TSC-107 (Quick Reaction Package) communications central; the first assigned to an Air National Guard unit. This new equipment expanded the unit’s communications capabilities and increased personnel requirements. In June 1989, after several years of hard work and dedication, the 285th successfully completed its first ever Operational Readiness Inspection. This inspection verified the unit’s capability to perform its wartime mission.

In July 1996, the 285th Combat Communications Flight became the 285th Combat Communications Squadron. Concurrently, the mission of the unit changed to provide an initial communications capability in the European Theater. This change brought with it new communications equipment and another increase in personnel requirements. St Croix ANG Station was expanded in 1997 to accommodate the new mission, personnel, and equipment.

Since inception, the VIANG has been involved numerous real world deployments, contingencies, and training exercises. In 1982, personnel from the 285th supported Exercise Flintlock in the United Kingdom and Exercise Ocean Venture at home station. The entire squadron deployed to El Paso, TX supporting JCS Exercise Roving Sands in June 1996; and, personnel and equipment was sent to St. Lucia in April 2000 supporting exercise Trade Winds 2000. Unit equipment was sent to Bosnia in December 1995 in support of Joint Endeavor; and, personnel and equipment were sent to Haiti February 1995 supporting Uphold Democracy. In addition, the 285th CBCS conducted a counterdrug radar mission on St. Croix from July 1996 - June 1997.

The VIANG plays a vital role in supporting the government of the Virgin Islands in time of natural disaster. Our combat communications capabilities provide the basic communications infrastructure required when hurricanes take down commercial communications systems. In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo tested the capability of the 285th to perform its territorial mission. St Croix ANG Station was the only VI National Guard facility on St Croix left operational. The 285th provided the only official communications capability from the Virgin Islands to the U.S. Mainland. All response and recovery operations were centered at St Croix ANG Station. Our communications capability was used by every federal agency with operations on St Croix and by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the U.S. Army forces upon their arrival.

Another major test for the 285 CBCS came in September 1995 after the devastation of Hurricane Marilyn. A communications cell was deployed to St. Thomas which provided communications support the governor’s Emergency Operations Center. Elements of the squadron remained on Territorial Active Duty in excess of 90 days. The 285 CBCS communications capability was also used during Hurricanes Bertha (1996), Hortense (1997), Georges (1998), and Lenny (1999).

On the horizon for the VIANG is the 285 CES's transition into a United States Southern Command support mission that includes Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. As with any other federal or territorial mission, the men and women of the VIANG stands ready, willing and able to answer the "Call to Duty". -->

Major command/gaining command

 * Air National Guard/ (???- ???)

Wing/group

 * 226th Combat Communications Group (1980–?)

Previous designations

 * 285th Combat Communications Flight (1980–1996)
 * 285th Combat Communications Squadron (1996–3 March 2012)
 * 285th Civil Engineer Squadron (3 March 2012 – present)

Bases stationed

 * St Croix ANGS, Virgin Islands (1980–Present)

Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
 * 1989
 * 1 January 1990 - 31 December 1990
 * 1991
 * 1 September 1995 – 31 August 1997