2d Weather Group holds change of command

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Carly A. Costello
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 2d Weather Group held a change of command at the Air Force Weather Agency Headquarters here July 8.

U.S. Air Force Col. William Carle, AFWA commander, presided over the ceremony at the Chief Master Sgt. Peter Morris Auditorium where U.S. Air Force Col. David Bacot relinquished command of the agency's 2d WXG to U.S. Air Force Col. Donald Shannon.

The 2d WXG is in charge of delivering terrestrial, space and climatological global environmental intelligence across the Department of Defense. The group can be found all over the world and is comprised of the 2d Systems Operations Squadron, 2d Weather Squadron and the 16th Weather Squadron at Offutt, the 2d Combat Weather Systems Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and the 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville, North Carolina. It also has four solar observatories located in Australia, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Hawaii.

"The 2d Weather Group is the engine for the Air Force Weather Agency; running the models, running the data, making things happen for not just for the Air Force Weather Agency but for the Air Force Weather community," Carle said.

Shannon comes to the 2d WXG after leading the development of joint and special operations -unique doctrine for U.S. Special Operations Command.

"Col. Shannon is a superb leader," Carle said. "He has a lot of operational experience."

Shannon has also served with Army's 82d Airborne Division and with the XVIII Airborne Corps, and during his career, Shannon has worked with the 2d WXG.

"Not only has he been a consumer of 2d Weather Group products, he has insight at the strategic level of what's driving decisions," Carle said.

Carle spoke about dynamic and challenging times ahead for the Air Force and AFWA and stated that Shannon is the right person to command the 2d WXG.

"I have had an opportunity to work with him a number of times over a number of years and without a doubt what you will find is positive energy, his experience is infectious, and he is they type of guy if you wanted to pick a person to be on your A Team," Carle said. "Col. Shannon, I know based off of your experience [and] your positive attitude, you will be able to take the 2d Weather Group to the next level."

Upon assuming command, Shannon spoke to the 2d WXG about what he expects from the group in order to be successful.

"There are three things I want to talk about," Shannon said. "Three things that have served me throughout my entire career that will serve us together, and those three things are three A's: Attitude, agility and accountability."

He asked that his Airmen and squadron commanders have a positive yet multifaceted attitude, physical, mental and cultural agility, and accountability to the mission, each other, the oath, the Air Force core values and heritage and to the future men and women of the Air Force.

"I need you to be accountable to the mission every day," Shannon said. "We have a job to do and the job that you do nobody else in the Air Force does. You deliver a specialized form of air power that you will not find in any other squadron in the Air Force."

Upon relinquishing command, Bacot received the Legion of Merit award for his service as the 2d WXG commander from July 12, 2012, to July 7, 2014.

"Col. Bacot has had a very superb mission and Airman focus," Carle said. "He has allowed 2d Weather Group squadrons to succeed. Col. Bacot has done an absolute phenomenal job leading the 2d Weather Group. He really allowed his people to do phenomenal work."

Bacot will stay at AFWA for his next assignment as vice commander of the agency.

"I am glad that he is going to stay here and be a key leader as we move forward," Carle said.