U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, presents the 55th Wing guidon to Col. John T. Rauch, incoming 55th Wing commander, during a formal change of command ceremony in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Hundreds of Airmen, family and distinguished visitors were in attendance for the change of command to welcome the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, outgoing commander of the 55th Wing, gives his closing remarks during the change of command ceremony held June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Bacon leaves the wing for the Pentagon where he will be the director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance strategy, plans, doctrine and force development. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, receives the 55th Wing guidon from Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, outgoing 55th Wing commander, during a formal change of command ceremony in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Bacon leaves the wing for the Pentagon where he will be the director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance strategy, plans, doctrine and force development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
Col. John T. Rauch, new 55th Wing commander, gives his first salute to the flagship RC-135, during a formal change of command ceremony in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Rauch is coming from Tinker AFB, Okla., where he served as the 552d Air Control Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
Col. John T. Rauch, incoming 55th Wing commander, gives his remarks, during a formal change of command ceremony in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Rauch is a master navigator with more than 3,000 hours in the RC-135U/V/W, T-43 and E-3B/C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, outgoing 55th Wing commander, says a few words before departing during a formal change of command ceremony in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. June 28. Bacon took command of the wing in March 2011 and will now act as the director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance strategy, plans, doctrine and force development at the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, outgoing 55th Wing commander, says a few words before departing during a formal change of command ceremony June 28 in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. A large number of Airmen, civilians, family members and distinguished visitors were in attendance for the change of command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
The Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard stands ready to post the colors at the 55th Wing change of command ceremony held inside Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Members of Team Offutt assembled to witness the time-honored tradition of the passing of the guidon from the outgoing commander to the incoming. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carl Eitzen, Heartland of America Band, performs with the Brass in Blue ensemble while guests entered Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 for the 55th Wing Change of Command ceremony on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The change of command marked the end of Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon's command of the wing and the assumption of command by Col. John Rauch. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, salutes the colors before he presides over the 55th Wing change of command ceremony held in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The change of command is a military tradition deeply rooted in history. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, gives opening remarks at the 55th Wing change of command ceremony held in the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The commander's flagship RC-135 served as a backdrop for the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
Chief Master Sgt. William W. Thomaston, 55th Wing command chief, holds the ceremonial guidon at the 55th Wing change of command ceremony held at the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 28 on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The senior enlisted person holds the guidon until it is passed to the presiding officer signifying a relinquishment of command then handed to the incoming commander who assumes command. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. John Rauch, new 55th Wing commander, gives introductory remarks to the men and women of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth after assuming command June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Rauch has been a regular fixture of the wing through most of his career and is well-versed in its mission and the people that execute it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
The wing commander's flagship RC-135 stands at the opening of the Dock 1 hangar with the new commander's name printed just below the cockpit window June 28 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The unveiling of the "Colonel John T. Rauch, Jr." name followed his first salute as commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)
Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, outgoing 55th Wing commander, addresses 55th Wing Airmen before departing during a formal change of command ceremony June 28 in Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. More than one hundred Airmen, family and distinguished visitors were in attendance for the change of command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)
6/28/2012 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The members of Fightin' Fifty-Fifth formally thanked their former commander and welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony here June 28.
Col. John Rauch took command of the 55th Wing, the largest wing in Air Combat Command, from Brig. Gen. Don Bacon during the deep-rooted, time-honored military ceremony inside the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility.
Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, was the presiding official of the ceremony and said both the outgoing and incoming commanders embody characteristics that make great leaders and are a perfect fit for the wing.
"Today is a great day for the 55th Wing," he said. "These two men represent what military service is all about."
Rauch returns to Offutt after serving as the 552d Air Control Wing's commander at Tinker AFB, Okla. This is his sixth assignment with the wing, including a stint as the vice commander from June 2009 - July 2010.
"John has had a hell of an Air Force career," Rand said. "There is no higher honor for a colonel than wing commander, so being selected to command a second wing is rare and speaks volumes about how the Air Force values his leadership."
Rauch is a master navigator with more than 3,100 flight hours in the E-3B/C/G, RC-135U/V/W and T-43 and said he is proud and honored to take the helm as commander.
"I'd like to thank General Rand for his trust, confidence and leadership and for this opportunity to serve with the 55th Wing as its commander," he said.
Rauch said he looks forward to serving once again with the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth and executing its worldwide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; electronic attack; command and control; presidential support; and treaty verification missions.
"As we look at everything we're tasked to do and also preparing for future potential conflicts," he said, "I'm confident that by focusing on our mission, our people and by caring for our families, we will prevail."
Bacon leaves the wing for the Pentagon where he will be the director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance strategy, plans, doctrine and force development.
"I have served with a great team, a great community, great Wingman and a great family as well," he said. "We're all very blessed with a great mission of serving our nation and defending our freedom."
Rand said when he saw Bacon upon landing at Offutt for this ceremony, he knew that his time as commander meant a lot to him and he gave it everything he had.
"I know the 55th will always hold a special place in his heart, not just because he believes in the mission, but because he has commanded here at every level - squadron, group and now wing," Rand said.
"The superior performance of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth is direct reflection of his leadership," he continued. "He should leave here knowing his leadership and mission accomplishments have had a lifelong impression on the hearts and minds of our Airmen."
This is the second straight time the new commander has had deep ties with the wing and that helps with the transition into leadership.
"(John) has time invested in this wing and has served here at all ranks other than major, so he knows your business" Rand said. "His reputation is known throughout the Air Force, and Offutt is extremely fortunate to have him as their 55th Wing commander."
As commander of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, Rauch is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping six groups and 32 squadrons around the world.
