News

Wing under new leadership

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

The Airmen of the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 14, 2019.

Col. Gavin Marks assumed command of the 55th Wing from Col. Michael Manion during the time-honored military ceremony inside the Bennie L. Davis Maintenance Facility here.

Maj. Gen. Mary F. O’Brien, 25th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. She thanked Manion for his leadership over the past two years and welcomed Marks to the largest wing in Air Combat Command.

“I congratulate Colonel Manion on his leadership … and thank him and Shannon for all they’ve done for the Airmen and the community,” she said. “And I am completely convinced, and all of you should be too, that Colonel Marks is more than prepared to command the FIghtin’ Fifty Fifth as you continue to meet our nation’s challenges.”

Marks arrives to the Cornhusker State after serving as the 552d Air Control Wing vice commander at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

“He brings a breadth and depth of experience in command and control, ISR and non-kinetic operations,” O’Brien said. “He is the right commander at the right time to lead the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth.”

Marks earned his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996. He is a command pilot with more than 3,300 hours in the T-3, T-37 E-3B/C and T-1A.

“I am absolutely honored to be here … and honored to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” he said. “Deborah and I are very excited to get better acquainted with each of you – the men and women of the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth, Team Offutt and the great local communities of Bellevue, Plattsmouth, Papillion and Omaha.”

Marks thanked Manion for his leadership of the wing and praised him for his efforts through two natural disasters.

“We are fond of the saying, ‘The Sun Never Sets on the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth,’” he said. “But I’m here to tell you that is not a given, it is not a birthright. The sun does not set on the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth because of our Airmen and because of leaders like Manion. It is because of that leadership that our wing is set for success in the future.”

The new commander also thanked the wing for welcoming him with open arms and said he was honored to have the opportunity to lead them.

“Today is not about me, today is about us,” he said. “This is our time. We do have challenges ahead, but it’s through those challenges and obstacles that we will face together that our country and her adversaries will truly see what we’re made of.”

Manion leaves the wing for his next assignment at the Pentagon. He awarded the Legion of Merit by O’Brien during the ceremony and said it was an honor to the wing.

“Your actions inspire others, including me, to dream more, to do more and to become more,” he said. “I’m so proud to have served on your team.”

Manion closed by thanking the Airmen of the 55th for always meeting any challenge that came their way.

“This is truly where I have walked in the company of heroes,” he said. “Day-in-and-day-out you simply delivered, you crushed the mission, you focused on vital outcomes, you cared for Airmen and you have built the next generation of leaders.”

As commander of the 55th Wing, Marks is responsible for organizing, training and equipping six groups and 30 squadrons executing worldwide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic attack, command and control, presidential support and treaty verification missions.