270th ATCS to move under 173rd Operations Group

KINGSLEY FIELD -- A memo from the commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Michael Stencel dated June 27, 2015, announced major changes for the two Oregon wings and the Combat Operations Group.

After 13 years of service the Combat Operations Group with units in Klamath Falls, Rilea, and Portland, Oregon will realign and fall under the two fighter wings.

At Kingsley Field that announcement means the 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron will fall under the 173rd Operations Group at the start of next fiscal year, Oct. 1, 2015.

In a town hall meeting in August, Col. Mark Crosby, the COG commander, expanded on the details saying, "I believe that the measures we have taken to realign the COG under the fighter wings will help us in our efforts to build agility into our processes, capabilities for the future, concepts and thinking to be successful in Air, Space, and Cyberspace."

He also went on to say that were the state not to undertake this now it would be mandated by the National Guard Bureau in the near future.

While the realignment won't require the 270th to pack up and move, Crosby acknowledged that change often brings extra stress with it and says he is relying on their proven culture to make the transition a smooth one.

"These changes are always difficult and sometimes disruptive but I know the Airmen of the Combat Operations Group and the fighter wings will take this change on, be bold, and meet the challenge head on like many others have in our ANG heritage," said Crosby.