OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Operations Group held its change of command ceremony July 13, 2018, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Col. Eric Paulson assumed command from outgoing commander Col. Joseph Santucci in a ceremony officiated by Col. Michael Manion, 55th Wing commander.
The 55th OG is the largest operations group in the Air Force with 11 squadrons and two detachments operating seven models of aircraft consisting of approximately 3,200 personnel.
The group executes global airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and treaty verification missions directed by the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, and national intelligence agencies. The 55th OG has been deployed to some degree for nearly 28 consecutive years.
“The Air Force song sings that we live in fame and that is true,” Santucci said. “Each of us must be a living reason that the U.S. people look up to and admire their Air Force just as I have admired you and your accomplishments for the past two years, and it has been the honor and privilege of my career to serve as your commander, thank you.”
Prior to assuming command, Paulson was the chief of information operations at Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
“I am honored, I am grateful, I am excited, and I am humbled to stand before you as next in a long line of great commanders and leaders,” Paulson said, “I will try to follow those who have selflessly led this group through many unanticipated challenges born from an ever changing dynamic global environment.”