242nd Combat Communication Squadron earns Outstanding on ORI Published April 19, 2007 By Lt. Col. Nancy Reid 141st Air Refueling Wing community manager Geiger Field, Wash. -- The 242nd Combat Communications Squadron excelled in their recent Operational Readiness Inspection conducted by Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. The unit received an overall Outstanding grade. The rating was the highest the command has ever given to a unit of similar size to date. The 242nd CBCS has 120 personnel assigned. The rating was also the squadron's best in its 53 year history. Lt. Col. Gent Welsh, 242nd CBCS commander, said it was "rewarding to see such high inspection results, particularly with our recent deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq. Our folks spent a considerable amount of time preparing for this inspection and the results showed. Our results have truly set the benchmark for the other 32 Combat Communications Squadrons to follow within the United States Air Force." All Air Force and Air National Guard units are required to undergo mandatory Operational Readiness Inspections every four to five years. The inspections are designed to ensure the readiness capabilities throughout the Department of Defense.