Holloman COMSEC receives EXCELLENT rating

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 49th Communications Squadron Communication Security office received an Excellent rating on the recent Air Combat Command COMSEC inspection. 

The inspection took place June 11 through 14 and assessed the overall base COMSEC account. This is the first Excellent rating received by an ACC active-duty base in the more than three years, said Master Sgt. Randolph McIntyre, 49 CS COMSEC manager. 

"The base COMSEC account is responsible for maintaining the integrity of more than 2,000 COMSEC items in 60 accounts across the base," said Sergeant McIntyre. 

Not only is the COMSEC office responsible for 100 percent accountability of all COMSEC materials on base, they have to ensure all training for personnel within each of the sub accounts are completed 

"We must conduct semi-annual inspections of all 60 sub accounts which are managed by the COMSEC Responsible Officers and Secure Voice Responsible Officers," said Sergeant McIntyre. "We have to ensure all possible steps are taken to ensure the safeguarding of this classified material. We are responsible for procuring Secure Terminal Equipment and the necessary seed and operational keys to support this equipment. We further manage and process updates for the Information Assurance Web page." 

The COMSEC materials issued are essential for Holloman's flying mission and will be even more intensive with the F-22A beddown, said Sergeant McIntyre. 

The ACC inspection entailed a meticulous look at the COMSEC documentation and how material is safeguarded, said Staff Sgt. Patricia Ridge, 49 CS alternate COMSEC manager. 

"We were commended by ACC on how we coordinate with NSA (National Security Agency) for equipment," said Sergeant Ridge. 

The ACC inspectors found 12 of 16 accounts error-free; the secure voice program is well organized and all training and administrative requirements are current; and the COMSEC Web site is user-friendly by providing customers with a focal point for all current COMSEC information and publications. 

The 49 CS COMSEC office is continually documenting and training the CROs and SVROs in order to do well in the next ACC COMSEC inspection in 2009.