34th CCS welcomes new commander Published July 31, 2009 By Howdy Stout Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The recently-returned 34th Combat Communications Squadron met their new commander Monday as Maj. Noland Greene assumed command. Members of the 34th CCS -- the Muscle of the Herd -- began returning this month following deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Maj. Anthony Gamboa, the outgoing 34th CCS commander, is being assigned to the Joint Staff, J-3 Directorate at the Pentagon. Col. Thomas Byrge, commander of the 3rd Combat Communications Group, says Major Greene has vast experience with combat communications and will be a valuable addition to a squadron that has achieved much. Prior to assuming command, Major Greene served as the chief of the Air Force Network Operations Branch, Infrastructure Delivery, at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. "You don't get here easily," Colonel Byrge said. "He should be able to hit the ground running. He has a great record and I'm sure he'll do great things at the 34th." Colonel Byrge says the 3rd Herd is a highly-regarded unit and that leadership positions for its units are carefully scrutinized, and Major Greene's selection shows he has the right experience for the job. During his time at the Pentagon, Major Greene was part of a team providing policy, oversight and direction in the planning, design and implementation of a new $1.2 billion network operations infrastructure for the Air Force. His previous experience includes a variety of positions at squadron, group and Air Staff levels. He has deployed three times during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Major Greene says he is proud to assume command of the 34th CCS, especially after hearing the unit and its commander praised during high-level Pentagon meetings. "While I was there...I would hear a lot about what Major Gamboa and the 34th were doing," he said. "Our unit has a well-known reputation," he added. "I am proud and honored to be your commander." "Major Gamboa has led from the front," said Colonel Byrge. Major Gamboa, who received his third cluster to the Air Force Meritorious Service medal during the change of command ceremony, was instrumental in developing new communication suites for the 34th and for pioneering the use of new tactical communications equipment for the Air Force. One such program pioneered by the 34th CCS is the Everything Over Internet Protocol, which is intended to replace traditionally bulky cables and communication switches with Ethernet cables and internet routers. Smaller and quicker, EOIP is intended to be the next generation of combat communications equipment not only for the Air Force but for other branches of the military. "These are the things that are going to take us to the next level in tactical communications," Major Greene said. "I feel great pride in our success," Major Gamboa said, adding that the pioneering done by the 34th will benefit the Air Force and "not just for the Herd." In addition to the use of new equipment and techniques, Major Gamboa oversaw the deployment of the 155-member squadron to 14 different locations in support of Central Command. Major Gamboa also deployed three times in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom "All of these things were the opportunity of a lifetime," Major Gamboa said, adding that the job of the 34th CCS is not yet done. Although recently returned from deployment, the 34th CCS is assisting with the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection despite missing the initial training cycle. "I know you guys will take up the challenge," Major Gamboa said. "Nolan, you are the luckiest guy in the Air Force. Lead them and they will take you there."