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KELLY AFB UNIT BECOMES PART OF ESC

By Roy Heitman, ESC Public Affairs


HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (Sept. 30, 1996) -- The Cryptologic Management Directorate at Kelly AFB, Texas, becomes known as Detachment 4 and transfers administratively to Electronic Systems Center Oct. 1.

The directorate was formerly assigned to the San Antonio Air Logistics Center, at Kelly. ESC Commander Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish will officiate at formal ceremonies marking the change at Kelly on Oct. 11. Later this year it is expected to become the Cryptologic Systems Group, under ESC.

The organization is responsible for acquisition and sustainment of all Air Force cryptologic assets that support fielded Air Force information systems security; information warfare systems and command, control, computers and intelligence (C4I) systems. Unit officials said their goal is to provide superior cryptologic products and services for the war fighting team and give them information dominance through teamwork, innovation and technological excellence.

In addition to the Air Force, the group supports the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, NASA, Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Customs Service.

The change is brought about by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Committee which called for the privatization or relocation of San Antonio Air Logistics Center functions. The base will be redesignated as an annex and host responsibility will pass from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Education and Training Command at adjacent Lackland AFB.

The 560 manpower authorizations, of which 357 are civilians, will remain at their present location on "Security Hill" at Kelly. Cryptologic Management Director Col. James M. Jackson III will become commander of the group. "I am confident we can make this change a positive one for the Air Force and the new organization will continue to help provide C4I for the warrior when and where needed," Jackson said.

The ESC Detachment 4 traces its history to February 1942 when it was formed as the Army Air Force's 136th Signal Radio Company at Bolling Field, D.C. In the ensuing 54 years, it has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit four times and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award five times.

For more information, contact Roy Heitman via email- heitmanr@hanscom.af.mil
or at ESC's Office of Public Affairs - (617) 377-4466