Comm Squadron dials up command awards Published Feb. 15, 2013 By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Air Force Reserve Command recently honored the men and women of the 439th Communications Squadron with two command awards. The squadron earned the 2012 Lt. Gen. Harold W. Grant Air Force Information Dominance Unit Award - for the third time in four years - and the Outstanding Information Assurance Element Award. The dominance award honors the top communications unit in AFRC. Among the reasons for the award was its timely communications support which ensured a quick aircraft evacuation during preparations for Hurricane Irene in the fall of 2011, according to the award citation. Ninety military and civilian members staff the communications squadron. While its primary mission is the operation and maintenance of the base computer and telephone networks, Comm members also maintain the airfield's navigational aids. The award citation included the squadron's "outstanding" support of the instrument landing system that ensures an all-weather capability for flying operations. Comm members also assist with jointservice operations and the award cited their establishment of a secure and critical network and link for the Navy Reserve Seabees unit assigned to Westover. The Westover dominance unit award package now competes for the Air Forcelevel award. "I am extremely proud of their effort and continued dedication to the Air Force mission," said Col. Kimberly Ramos, AFRC Director of Communications.