Archive image: U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Sheets, 23rd Wing commander, conducts air-to-air refueling in an HH-60W Jolly Green II with the help of 71st Rescue Squadron aircrew aboard an HC-130J Combat King II at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, July 29, 2025.
Sheets conducted his final flight, or “fini flight,” as commander of the 23rd Wing.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter.
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Amber Peck, National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Virginia – The Air National Guard recently secured $33 million in federal funding to field a new satellite-based communications system designed to significantly improve response and coordination during rescue missions in both domestic and deployed environments.
The new system, called the Ku/Ka Communication Suite, allows rescue aircews to send and receive secure voice and data transmissions over satellite, enabling real-time updates and coordination in areas where traditional communications are limited or unavailable.
The system is slated to first be integrated on the HC-130J Combat King II aircraft.
“This is a new capability that the Guard is bringing,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Fred Meyer, chief of the National Guard Bureau special missions branch, adding that the Air Guard, alongside the Air Force Reserve, are spearheading the integration of the new system.
The funding was awarded through the Department of Defense’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies program. This marks the NGB’s first submission to APFIT.
The NGB Innovation Team led the effort, partnering with ARCWERX, the Air National Guard-Air Force Reserve Test Center Combat Search and Rescue division, and other mission partners. Together, the team submitted a complete funding proposal within 72 hours.
“By the time of notification of eligibility to submit, we knew we were up against a challenge,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Cristi Campbell, innovation branch chief at the NGB. “We could have easily said, ‘We’ll have more time next year—let’s wait.’ But we didn’t. We decided to go for it, despite the time constraint and unfamiliarity with the process and program.”
Officials say the system will reduce the time it takes to locate and recover personnel during emergencies and disasters, providing rescue aircrews with faster access to mission-critical data and the ability to communicate across long distances without ground-based infrastructure.
“It allows the aircrew to stay in communication and access the information they need when it matters most—especially during rescues or emergencies in remote areas,” Myer said.
The innovation team believes this Guard-led project will serve as a model for future technology adoption across the total force.
“This submission, the acceptance into the APFIT program, demonstrates the National Guard’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology and equipment,” Campbell said. “It shows our ability to partner with industry, our willingness to accept risk and to think boldly, and it demonstrates the National Guard men and women are ready and willing to rise to the challenge to defend our nation.”
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