OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Airmen of the 55th Communications Group witnessed a change of command ceremony July 10, 2019, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
After having led the 55th CG since July 2017, Col. Corey Ramsby relinquished command to U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Wieland.
Wieland graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999, and served in a wide range of communications and cyber operations. He was previously deputy director, digital transformation, for the Office of the Deputy Chief Information Officer, at the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
“I am proud to be a member to the 55th Communications Group and we are proud to call the Offutt community home,” said Wieland, 55th CG commander, “Warhawks, I look forward to the challenges ahead and the opportunity to serve.”
Over the last two years the group has not only safeguarded nearly six million dollars of key infrastructure, they have built relationships with industry and academia paired with creating the Warhawk Thinking Facility, a place for Airmen to advance their critical thinking skills and generate solutions to problems. The group has transformed from focusing on information technology to warfighting functions of the wing. Only six other bases in the Air Force were selected for this program. All the group’s accomplishments over 2018 resulted in the group being awarded the 25th Air Force's Chief Master Sergeant James C. Swindel.
“I don’t know that I have met a more visionary leader then Col. Corey Ramsby,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Gavin Marks, 55th Wing commander and presiding official over the ceremony, “A leader that was more passionate about the cutting edge tip of the spear, state of the art work that is coming out of the 55th CG, or a leader more proud of the out of the box, courageous and innovative way of thinking emanating from the 55th CG.”
Ramsby’s next assignment will be as ROTC commandant at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
“To the men and women of this outstanding group, thank you for accepting the challenges thrown at your feet,” said Ramsby. “I am forever humble, by your resolve and ingenuity, your can do attitude and a way to say yes, when everyone around you was saying no. I wish nothing but the best for all of you, your wing and the Air Force is counting on you.”