WEBVTT 00:04.730 --> 00:06.841 Good morning , ladies and gentlemen , 00:06.841 --> 00:08.786 and welcome to the 55th Operations 00:08.786 --> 00:10.452 Group Change of Command . I'm 00:10.452 --> 00:12.619 Lieutenant Colonel Damon Wagner , your 00:12.619 --> 00:14.730 narrator for today's event . Today we 00:14.730 --> 00:16.786 are honoring Colonel Derek Rachel on 00:16.786 --> 00:18.897 the occasion of his relinquishment of 00:18.897 --> 00:20.952 command of the 55th Operations Group 00:20.952 --> 00:22.786 and Colonel John Isacco upon his 00:22.786 --> 00:25.020 assumption of command . Additionally , 00:25.030 --> 00:26.808 we are honored to recognize our 00:26.808 --> 00:29.141 presiding officer , Colonel Mark Howard , 00:29.141 --> 00:31.308 Commander of 55th Wing . We would like 00:31.308 --> 00:33.252 to extend a special welcome to the 00:33.252 --> 00:35.474 families of the official party . Please 00:35.474 --> 00:37.419 hold your applause until the end . 00:37.950 --> 00:40.240 Colonel Howard's wife , Mrs Shannon 00:40.250 --> 00:43.099 Howard . Colonel Rachel's wife , Mrs 00:43.110 --> 00:45.880 Jennifer Rachel and his family , Ed and 00:45.889 --> 00:48.909 Jackie Rachel , Eric and Sheena Rann , 00:49.389 --> 00:52.450 Ben Rachel and Jacob and Marley Rachel . 00:53.240 --> 00:55.979 Colonel Oak's family , his wife Mrs 00:55.990 --> 00:58.380 Molly Isako , and there are three sons , 00:58.389 --> 01:01.750 Luke Josh and Jacob . Colonel Oak's 01:01.759 --> 01:04.209 mother , Anne and father , retired 01:04.220 --> 01:06.164 Lieutenant Colonel Michael Isako . 01:06.720 --> 01:08.849 Colonel is Ao's brothers , retired 01:08.860 --> 01:11.779 Colonel Michael Isacco Junior , Tim 01:12.069 --> 01:14.940 Isacco and his wife Tracy Isacco and 01:14.949 --> 01:16.949 their Children , Madeleine and Jack 01:17.989 --> 01:19.878 Colonel Osaka's Air Force Academy 01:19.878 --> 01:22.419 sponsor , retired Chief master Sergeant , 01:22.430 --> 01:26.360 Steven Bieber , Colonel Oak's in-laws , 01:26.379 --> 01:29.209 Judy and Steven Schleif and family , 01:29.220 --> 01:31.080 Amy and Patrick Moose and their 01:31.089 --> 01:32.949 Children , Cecilia and Samuel . 01:34.330 --> 01:36.441 Additionally , we are very pleased to 01:36.441 --> 01:38.552 have numerous distinguished guests in 01:38.552 --> 01:40.719 attendance with us today . Please hold 01:40.719 --> 01:42.608 your applause until the end . The 01:42.608 --> 01:44.386 honorable Paul Lambert mayor of 01:44.386 --> 01:47.550 Plattsmouth Nebraska , Colonel Een Gray , 01:47.559 --> 01:50.330 Deputy commander 55th Wayne and his 01:50.339 --> 01:53.430 wife Jessica Chief master Sergeant , 01:53.440 --> 01:55.980 Melissa Royster Command chief 55th 01:55.989 --> 01:59.260 Wayne , Colonel Tracy Bosom , commander 01:59.269 --> 02:01.380 of 55th Medical Group and her husband 02:01.380 --> 02:04.900 Tom Chief master Sergeant , Ernesto 02:04.980 --> 02:07.220 Otero , senior enlisted leader , 55th 02:07.230 --> 02:10.100 medical Colonel Matthew Hensley , 02:10.110 --> 02:12.166 commander of the 55th Communications 02:12.166 --> 02:15.309 group and his wife , Missy , chief 02:15.320 --> 02:17.376 master Sergeant , Daniel Rodriguez , 02:17.376 --> 02:21.320 senior enlisted leader . Great Colonel 02:21.330 --> 02:23.919 Patrick Kesia commander 55th mission 02:23.929 --> 02:26.830 support group . Chief master sergeant , 02:26.839 --> 02:29.117 John Splitter , senior enlisted leader , 02:29.160 --> 02:32.369 55th mission support group . Colonel 02:32.380 --> 02:34.279 Kenneth Betters commander 55th 02:34.289 --> 02:36.710 Maintenance group and his wife Elena , 02:37.710 --> 02:40.490 Colonel Wendy Quora commander , 1/70 02:40.500 --> 02:43.770 group , Colonel Nelson Torao United 02:43.779 --> 02:45.890 States Strategic Command and his wife 02:45.890 --> 02:48.179 Kristen , Colonel Michael Goodwin 02:48.190 --> 02:51.410 United States Army Colonel John Lack 02:51.419 --> 02:53.641 United States Air Force retired and his 02:53.641 --> 02:55.586 wife , Lieutenant Colonel Nan Lack 02:55.770 --> 02:57.659 United States Air Force , retired 02:58.199 --> 03:00.860 colonel Joe Sp president 55th Wing 03:00.869 --> 03:03.119 Association , United States Air Force , 03:03.130 --> 03:06.270 retired Colonel Mohan Krishnan United 03:06.279 --> 03:09.029 States Air Force , retired Colonel John 03:09.039 --> 03:11.095 Harrison , United States Air Force , 03:11.095 --> 03:13.850 retired Colonel Kurt Koenigsfeld , 03:13.860 --> 03:15.749 United States Air Force , retired 03:16.279 --> 03:18.710 Colonel Joe Santucci United States Air 03:18.720 --> 03:21.539 Force , retired Lieutenant Colonel Ryan 03:21.550 --> 03:24.350 Fitzgerald , chief of staff 55th wing 03:25.710 --> 03:28.043 chief master sergeant , Michael Parente , 03:28.043 --> 03:29.988 senior advisor Air Force Sergeants 03:29.988 --> 03:32.229 Association . United States Air Force , 03:32.240 --> 03:35.110 retired chief master sergeant , Brian 03:35.119 --> 03:37.130 Thomas , United States Air Force , 03:37.139 --> 03:39.729 retired Lieutenant Colonel Chris Can , 03:40.100 --> 03:42.156 vice chairman , Air and Space Forces 03:42.156 --> 03:44.770 Association , United States Air Force 03:44.779 --> 03:46.880 retired and his wife Judy . 03:58.419 --> 04:00.419 We would also like to extend a warm 04:00.419 --> 04:02.475 welcome to all commanders , chiefs , 04:02.475 --> 04:04.475 first sergeants , friends , the off 04:04.475 --> 04:07.110 advisory council , civilian leaders and 04:07.119 --> 04:09.286 the men and women of team off that are 04:09.286 --> 04:11.500 joining us today . The change of 04:11.509 --> 04:13.398 command ceremony you are about to 04:13.398 --> 04:15.453 witness is deeply rooted in military 04:15.453 --> 04:17.509 tradition . Dating back to Frederick 04:17.509 --> 04:19.398 the great of Prussia . Throughout 04:19.398 --> 04:21.869 history . Military organizations have 04:21.880 --> 04:24.100 developed flags with unique designs . 04:24.589 --> 04:26.589 If the manner still waved after the 04:26.589 --> 04:28.589 conflict , it was a sign that their 04:28.589 --> 04:30.811 side had not tasted defeat on the field 04:30.811 --> 04:32.811 of battle . Having this position of 04:32.811 --> 04:34.533 great importance that flag was 04:34.533 --> 04:36.756 incorporated into the change of command 04:36.756 --> 04:38.811 ceremony . The organizational banner 04:38.811 --> 04:40.978 was exchanged in public for all to see 04:40.978 --> 04:43.089 that the person who holds the flag is 04:43.089 --> 04:45.311 the unchallenged leader of the armies . 04:45.799 --> 04:47.966 The modern day ceremony is principally 04:47.966 --> 04:50.420 symbolic yet it still announces to all 04:50.429 --> 04:52.651 the authority of the incoming commander 04:52.651 --> 04:54.596 in the finest military tradition . 04:54.920 --> 04:57.142 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 04:57.142 --> 04:59.364 the arrival of the official party , the 04:59.364 --> 05:01.253 singing of the national anthem by 05:01.253 --> 05:03.364 Master Sergeant Rachel Wilson and the 05:03.364 --> 05:05.420 invocation by the Lieutenant Colonel 05:05.420 --> 05:05.420 Michael Feldman 05:33.779 --> 05:36.269 post comes , hello , 05:42.299 --> 05:42.799 four 06:04.079 --> 06:05.660 preet her 06:10.760 --> 06:11.899 they can 06:17.329 --> 06:17.829 once 06:21.670 --> 06:25.100 to the WE 06:26.380 --> 06:27.670 R and R 06:33.339 --> 06:35.529 or so 06:37.570 --> 06:41.029 so . Mm 06:57.660 --> 07:00.220 Awesome . I 07:17.589 --> 07:17.850 to 07:58.079 --> 07:59.450 co coastal park , 08:24.470 --> 08:27.739 please join me in prayer . He 08:27.920 --> 08:30.087 father , we thank you for this land of 08:30.087 --> 08:32.198 freedom and for the mission to defend 08:32.198 --> 08:34.253 and maintain the peace of this great 08:34.253 --> 08:36.420 nation . Today , we pay tribute to the 08:36.420 --> 08:38.364 Rachel family . Welcome to a Zacco 08:38.364 --> 08:40.476 family . We celebrate the command and 08:40.476 --> 08:40.429 leadership of Colonel Derek Rachel and 08:40.440 --> 08:42.708 Mrs Jennifer Rachel through S and 08:42.718 --> 08:44.885 professionalism , they made a point to 08:44.885 --> 08:46.829 provide tremendous care to the hit 08:46.829 --> 08:48.996 Fifth OG family . While Colonel Rachel 08:48.996 --> 08:51.107 led the hit Fifth Operations Group in 08:51.107 --> 08:53.274 SK and maintaining a global presence . 08:53.274 --> 08:55.496 Q mission is something we can do as the 08:55.496 --> 08:57.607 Rachel family aspirations began bless 08:57.607 --> 08:59.496 them with safe travels , a smooth 08:59.496 --> 09:01.718 transition and awesome opportunities to 09:01.718 --> 09:03.496 represent the razor bags in the 09:03.496 --> 09:05.385 Southeastern Conference and their 09:05.385 --> 09:07.551 established coach bus that will surely 09:07.551 --> 09:09.607 sit standard for modern day travel . 09:09.607 --> 09:11.719 Now we welcome Colonel Isako and his 09:11.729 --> 09:13.919 command team spouse Smale back to the 09:13.929 --> 09:16.320 55th Operations Group . We thank you 09:16.330 --> 09:18.219 for a leader that understands our 09:18.219 --> 09:20.274 unique mission and the importance of 09:20.274 --> 09:22.497 supporting our Quebec commanders around 09:22.497 --> 09:24.608 the world . We ask that you give this 09:24.608 --> 09:26.552 exceptional leader , the wisdom of 09:26.552 --> 09:28.774 Sullivan who making tough decisions and 09:28.774 --> 09:30.830 the courage of David when faced with 09:30.830 --> 09:32.886 difficult challenges while lead huge 09:32.886 --> 09:34.719 operational demands with limited 09:34.719 --> 09:36.830 resources and a no fail mission bless 09:36.830 --> 09:38.774 and help us all with their renewed 09:38.774 --> 09:40.774 dedication to provide Colonel Zacco 09:40.774 --> 09:42.941 with the support he needs to get after 09:42.941 --> 09:44.830 the mission of the 55th operation 09:44.830 --> 09:47.108 screen in your holy name . I pray Amen . 09:51.390 --> 09:53.334 Thank you , Master Sergeant Rachel 09:53.334 --> 09:55.668 Wilson from the United States Air Force , 09:55.668 --> 09:57.612 Heartland of America Band for that 09:57.612 --> 09:59.612 wonderful rendition of the national 09:59.612 --> 10:01.723 anthem and Lieutenant Colonel Michael 10:01.723 --> 10:01.440 Felder for that beautiful message . 10:01.859 --> 10:04.192 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 10:07.369 --> 10:09.147 It is an honor to introduce our 10:09.147 --> 10:11.480 presiding officer , Colonel Mark Howard , 10:11.480 --> 10:12.960 Commander 55th Wing . 10:21.570 --> 10:24.000 If you think about why you do this 10:24.010 --> 10:26.232 speech , you come to four conclusions . 10:26.232 --> 10:30.020 The first one is not as obvious as you 10:30.030 --> 10:31.863 might think . And it's the folks 10:31.863 --> 10:33.974 standing in the bleachers and some of 10:33.974 --> 10:36.141 you all here in the audience . And the 10:36.141 --> 10:38.141 real question you ask is how do you 10:38.141 --> 10:40.252 become an option of commander and get 10:40.252 --> 10:42.586 to this change of command point ? Right ? 10:42.586 --> 10:44.808 So we'll talk about that a little bit . 10:44.808 --> 10:46.752 The next point is to thank Derek B 10:46.909 --> 10:49.539 Rachel , but more importantly is my 10:49.549 --> 10:51.989 agenda . What in the world were you 10:52.000 --> 10:54.159 doing all this time , man ? Why were 10:54.169 --> 10:56.679 you so busy and talk about the things 10:56.690 --> 10:58.729 that you were involved in , in the 10:58.739 --> 11:02.679 largest ops group we've got , what was 11:02.690 --> 11:04.912 it ? That was so special about what you 11:04.912 --> 11:07.719 did and that we had to get done . And 11:07.729 --> 11:09.896 then the next thing everybody wants to 11:09.896 --> 11:12.173 know , hey , what are y'all doing next ? 11:12.173 --> 11:12.020 So I'll talk a little bit about that 11:12.270 --> 11:14.326 and uh finally we got to welcome the 11:14.326 --> 11:16.381 new guy and the new guy's family and 11:16.381 --> 11:19.270 making sure everybody understands what 11:19.280 --> 11:22.460 you're up for and what's going on next . 11:22.469 --> 11:25.340 So to start us out . Uh What does it 11:25.349 --> 11:27.571 take to become an SRE commander ? So it 11:27.571 --> 11:29.729 just so happens and we won't go into 11:30.380 --> 11:34.080 diatribe of what it takes to get this 11:34.090 --> 11:36.940 job in particular . But bull was custom 11:36.950 --> 11:40.669 made for this job . And uh if you 11:40.679 --> 11:42.900 feel like you might be custom made for 11:42.909 --> 11:45.076 this job , here , here you go . Here's 11:45.076 --> 11:47.298 the story . So the first time I met him 11:47.298 --> 11:49.353 was in this very building right down 11:49.353 --> 11:51.789 the hall and it was spring of 2016 . 11:52.159 --> 11:54.599 And this guy had an amazing record 11:54.609 --> 11:58.280 because he flew not only the Jars , 11:58.640 --> 12:01.219 the E eight , not only the A WX the E 12:01.229 --> 12:03.451 three , but now he's flying our plane . 12:03.451 --> 12:06.919 So he is nav the navigator of all naga 12:07.090 --> 12:10.570 navigators for the Iron Triad itself . 12:11.559 --> 12:15.030 And he had an awesome haircut and I was 12:15.039 --> 12:18.059 like , I like this guy already . And 12:18.070 --> 12:20.770 the job he was about to fill was the do 12:20.780 --> 12:22.500 of the Hellcats , the 38th 12:22.510 --> 12:24.700 reconnaissance squadron go Hellcats , 12:24.710 --> 12:27.450 Hellcats lead the way Hellcats 02 at 12:27.460 --> 12:30.609 that time , right ? He was following in 12:30.619 --> 12:33.869 my footsteps . The Hot Hellcat 02 . And 12:33.880 --> 12:35.824 it's pretty amazing . So you , you 12:35.824 --> 12:38.510 might be asking yourself , do I need to 12:38.520 --> 12:41.570 be an F-16 mechanic to get there ? No , 12:41.580 --> 12:43.909 but it helps . It sure does craft the 12:43.919 --> 12:46.840 way you think one day is a SRE 12:47.150 --> 12:49.989 commander , do I need to be ? And all 12:50.000 --> 12:53.619 the platforms had multi M Ds on mission 12:53.630 --> 12:55.574 design series , different types of 12:55.574 --> 12:57.741 platforms . No , you don't need that , 12:57.741 --> 12:59.852 but it doesn't hurt , helps out a lot 12:59.852 --> 13:02.119 really . What you need to do is you 13:02.130 --> 13:04.469 have to have the internal fortitude , 13:04.479 --> 13:08.059 the dedication and the 13:08.070 --> 13:11.650 gumption , the grit to get through and 13:11.659 --> 13:13.715 the determination and that's what he 13:13.715 --> 13:15.826 did . And I had to , I usually try to 13:15.826 --> 13:17.992 memorize these speeches , but I had to 13:17.992 --> 13:19.881 get a note card for this and some 13:19.881 --> 13:22.340 glasses because there's just so much so 13:22.349 --> 13:24.460 Jennifer , this part's for you . What 13:24.460 --> 13:25.460 was he doing ? 13:28.719 --> 13:31.580 He worked really hard and we know this 13:31.590 --> 13:33.710 because sometimes we had a , we had a 13:33.719 --> 13:35.830 little bit of a competition about who 13:35.830 --> 13:37.941 got home the latest . We're neighbors 13:37.941 --> 13:40.108 if you didn't know we live in the same 13:40.108 --> 13:42.500 house right next to the runway . So 13:42.510 --> 13:45.719 here's some things that are not 13:45.729 --> 13:47.673 captured . We're gonna give them a 13:47.673 --> 13:49.840 legion of merit here in a little bit . 13:49.840 --> 13:52.062 Right . That's the next step . And some 13:52.062 --> 13:54.062 of these things are not captured in 13:54.062 --> 13:56.173 that we wanted to highlight those $80 13:56.173 --> 13:58.396 million simulator upgrade for the first 13:58.396 --> 14:00.451 ever Cobra Ball and Combat simulator 14:00.549 --> 14:02.349 that online . That is a huge 14:02.359 --> 14:04.530 accomplishment never had before . And 14:04.539 --> 14:06.739 the Wildcats of the 45th Love you for 14:06.750 --> 14:10.340 it . $200 million runway 14:10.349 --> 14:13.159 upgrade and saw a move of 17 aircraft 14:13.169 --> 14:15.650 from Lincoln . That's a big lift that 14:15.659 --> 14:17.659 you and your team did something you 14:17.659 --> 14:21.489 live through $724 million post 14:21.500 --> 14:24.989 flood rebuild project for the new Cy 26 14:25.489 --> 14:28.590 sins . We're getting a new ops campus . 14:28.599 --> 14:30.710 I promised you and one day you'll see 14:30.710 --> 14:32.809 it and you'll be like my husband did 14:32.820 --> 14:36.580 that . It's gonna be great . The AC C 14:36.590 --> 14:38.923 approved syllabus for mission commander . 14:38.923 --> 14:41.090 Now , let me talk to you about mission 14:41.090 --> 14:43.201 commander for just a minute . So Bull 14:43.201 --> 14:47.090 is a navigator . I'm a will and 14:47.099 --> 14:49.469 the new guy here , John Ballgame , 14:49.919 --> 14:53.799 Isako is a pilot and your team led us 14:53.809 --> 14:55.979 to be able to have mission commanders 14:55.989 --> 14:59.059 on the river joint . It's a big deal . 14:59.070 --> 15:01.181 So you're taking guys from the flight 15:01.181 --> 15:03.403 deck , get involved in the mission . So 15:03.403 --> 15:05.219 we create not just pilots or 15:05.229 --> 15:07.309 reconnaissance pilots , not just 15:07.320 --> 15:09.789 navigators , reconnaissance navigators 15:09.799 --> 15:11.743 who know the mission , who know it 15:11.743 --> 15:13.743 inside and out . And that makes you 15:13.743 --> 15:15.855 potentially eligible to attend weapon 15:15.855 --> 15:17.799 school one day . And we are really 15:17.799 --> 15:21.219 proud of that because China and Russia 15:22.010 --> 15:25.010 Iran and a guy named Kim Jong Un who 15:25.020 --> 15:27.020 probably doesn't like you very much 15:28.010 --> 15:30.121 doesn't like that either . They don't 15:30.121 --> 15:32.070 like this idea of mission command 15:32.869 --> 15:34.925 because they don't trust their folks 15:34.925 --> 15:36.925 like we trust our folks and how you 15:36.925 --> 15:38.979 trust them , your folks 15:40.679 --> 15:43.489 interoperability with the Royal Air 15:43.500 --> 15:45.722 Force RJ . I mean , seriously , y'all , 15:45.722 --> 15:48.390 we had a fleet of 20 . You really did 15:48.400 --> 15:50.719 because of your efforts and the 15:50.729 --> 15:52.840 relationships that you built with our 15:52.840 --> 15:55.890 British friends . It was a huge now , 15:55.900 --> 15:58.011 these are the things in his legion of 15:58.011 --> 16:01.830 merit . 68 deployments , 2800 personnel , 16:01.840 --> 16:05.229 26 M DS valued at $6.5 16:05.239 --> 16:08.520 billion . It's a lot of taxpayer money , 16:10.000 --> 16:12.190 $24 million budget that you were 16:12.200 --> 16:15.469 controlling huge responsibility . The 16:15.479 --> 16:18.919 new WC 135 got here on your 16:18.929 --> 16:22.030 watch with big engines and that right 16:22.039 --> 16:24.250 there took some of our allies and 16:24.260 --> 16:26.427 partners by surprise about how amazing 16:26.427 --> 16:29.890 they were . You also opened up the new 16:29.900 --> 16:32.570 Ops group debt one in Alaska 16:34.309 --> 16:36.531 rapid cruise swaps . This is a big deal 16:36.531 --> 16:38.642 for us because we are proving that we 16:38.642 --> 16:40.753 have more than what it takes to fight 16:40.753 --> 16:42.869 our adversaries and we're getting 16:42.880 --> 16:45.330 better every day . Those are just some 16:45.340 --> 16:48.859 of the things that you're gonna be uh 16:48.869 --> 16:51.559 that you have been involved in and that 16:51.650 --> 16:54.020 we are very proud and very grateful for 16:54.030 --> 16:56.086 your leadership through Jen . That's 16:56.086 --> 16:58.252 what he was doing . So where are y'all 16:58.252 --> 17:00.419 going next ? Everybody wants to know . 17:00.419 --> 17:04.109 It's a funny story . Both 17:04.119 --> 17:07.589 bull and I are uh wanna be rock guys . 17:07.599 --> 17:09.766 We wanted to be , he was a drummer . I 17:09.766 --> 17:11.988 was like singer guitar player and stuff 17:11.988 --> 17:13.932 like that . And yeah , we did play 17:13.932 --> 17:15.821 together a couple of times . As a 17:15.821 --> 17:17.988 matter of fact , we get this . He went 17:17.988 --> 17:21.160 up to me , he bought himself a rock bus 17:21.170 --> 17:23.392 like a tour bus and he's gonna tour the 17:23.392 --> 17:25.448 country . So no joke . He's gonna be 17:25.448 --> 17:27.670 touring the country riding off into the 17:27.670 --> 17:31.479 sunset and something you never did was 17:31.489 --> 17:34.150 you never took your foot off the gas . 17:34.479 --> 17:36.701 Paul Lambert had a test . Mayor Lambert 17:36.701 --> 17:38.868 has been at everything just to see him 17:38.868 --> 17:41.035 and watch him . Make sure he's keeping 17:41.035 --> 17:40.790 his phone on the gas the whole time . 17:40.800 --> 17:43.500 He's keeping it on the gas as he goes 17:43.510 --> 17:45.454 and rides off into the sunset . We 17:45.454 --> 17:49.040 couldn't be more proud of you . Uh Hey , 17:49.329 --> 17:52.229 sin , your new Windsor 01 . 17:53.599 --> 17:57.550 There's a guy named John ball game and 17:57.560 --> 18:00.310 soccer . That this guy and he's come 18:00.319 --> 18:02.839 from a proud heritage . I met two of 18:02.849 --> 18:05.016 his brothers last night , Mike contend 18:05.016 --> 18:07.479 they're here with us today . Proud 18:07.489 --> 18:10.959 heritage of military , I think . Not 18:11.989 --> 18:14.045 four . Did I get that right ? 1906 , 18:14.045 --> 18:17.469 1904 . Did I get that right , Mike is 18:17.479 --> 18:19.757 looking at me like no , that's not bad . 18:21.869 --> 18:23.839 Goes back further than that great 18:23.849 --> 18:26.729 grandfather service , West Point Grants 18:28.079 --> 18:30.900 and an academy grant . Love that 18:31.689 --> 18:33.569 very proud heritage and military 18:33.579 --> 18:35.801 service . And we're expecting a lot out 18:35.801 --> 18:37.801 of you and we know we can get a lot 18:37.801 --> 18:40.023 from you because of who you are and the 18:40.023 --> 18:42.023 character that you have . Uh you're 18:42.023 --> 18:45.989 also the previous hell at 02 and you 18:46.000 --> 18:48.290 replace gold . So there's a trend here 18:48.310 --> 18:50.989 right here in this building . That's 18:51.000 --> 18:54.660 right , chief . So something 18:54.670 --> 18:58.329 else is he's coming from half a 26 U 18:58.339 --> 19:00.172 which is where Aron , our deputy 19:00.172 --> 19:02.283 commander came from and Aron came and 19:02.283 --> 19:04.228 guns blazing and knew all kinds of 19:04.228 --> 19:06.395 stuff because at the Pentagon , you're 19:06.395 --> 19:08.506 dealing with our platforms and that's 19:08.506 --> 19:10.561 the shock that you're coming from as 19:10.561 --> 19:12.617 well . So we know you've got what it 19:12.617 --> 19:14.839 takes . We know you had it . This group 19:14.839 --> 19:17.430 of airmen here can't wait to get 19:17.439 --> 19:20.430 started . Bull has left you a fantastic 19:20.439 --> 19:22.739 opportunity to knock it out of the park 19:23.619 --> 19:25.780 or score a touchdown because he is a 19:25.790 --> 19:28.680 Razorback football fan . That's right . 19:28.930 --> 19:31.097 That's right . Season ticket holding . 19:32.280 --> 19:34.760 Now , I wanna uh also welcome Molly . 19:34.810 --> 19:37.109 So welcome to you . Thank you for being 19:37.119 --> 19:40.719 here , boys . Uh If you guys didn't 19:40.729 --> 19:42.896 know you might get calls in the middle 19:42.896 --> 19:45.007 of the night for him , he might get a 19:45.007 --> 19:47.229 call in the middle of the night because 19:47.229 --> 19:49.340 he is running a global operation . We 19:49.340 --> 19:51.562 have folks in Japan where you guys have 19:51.562 --> 19:53.785 been in Japan . He was the commander of 19:53.785 --> 19:55.951 the 82nd reconnaissance squad while he 19:55.951 --> 19:58.118 was there as well . We're all over the 19:58.118 --> 20:00.173 world . I won't name him all because 20:00.173 --> 20:02.229 it'll take a while . Uh But we got a 20:02.229 --> 20:04.396 new group in Alaska . So watch out for 20:04.396 --> 20:04.040 that . You could get calls in the 20:04.050 --> 20:05.772 middle of the night . And most 20:05.772 --> 20:07.760 importantly , if the airplanes are 20:07.770 --> 20:09.992 flying late at night while you can slap 20:09.992 --> 20:12.159 him because he's the one that approved 20:12.159 --> 20:14.159 the schedule and you're next to the 20:14.159 --> 20:16.103 runway with your house . But don't 20:16.103 --> 20:18.326 worry , we're right next to you . Hey , 20:18.326 --> 20:20.381 team , I can't wait for what uh ball 20:20.381 --> 20:22.492 games got for us . Uh He's gonna be a 20:22.492 --> 20:24.326 fantastic leader , but we are so 20:24.326 --> 20:26.449 grateful for you . Thank you for your 20:26.459 --> 20:29.579 service . 28 years of service . We're 20:29.589 --> 20:31.645 gonna celebrate that tomorrow in his 20:31.645 --> 20:33.811 retirement . I think we moved from the 20:33.811 --> 20:35.645 parade field to the Weather Wing 20:35.645 --> 20:37.719 Auditorium for tomorrow . But 20:37.729 --> 20:39.369 recognizing you now for the 20:39.380 --> 20:41.540 achievements that you've done during 20:41.550 --> 20:43.772 this particular tour , we're gonna give 20:43.772 --> 20:45.994 you a legion of marriage . So come on . 20:51.010 --> 20:53.232 Thank you , Colonel Howard . Ladies and 20:53.232 --> 20:55.232 gentlemen , please stand as Colonel 20:55.232 --> 20:57.454 Howard presents Colonel Rachel with the 20:57.454 --> 21:00.280 legion of merit and other the attention 21:00.290 --> 21:02.489 to orders . Colonel Derek , a Rachel 21:02.500 --> 21:04.667 distinguished himself by exceptionally 21:04.667 --> 21:06.889 meritorious conduct and the performance 21:06.889 --> 21:08.944 of outstanding service to the United 21:08.944 --> 21:10.944 States of America as commander 55th 21:10.944 --> 21:13.339 operations route 55th wing off Air 21:13.349 --> 21:17.109 Force Base , Nebraska from 30 June 2022 21:17.119 --> 21:20.530 to 1 July 2024 . Colonel Rachel 21:20.540 --> 21:22.262 masterly commanded the largest 21:22.262 --> 21:24.151 operations group in the Air Force 21:24.151 --> 21:26.390 guiding 11 squadrons in two detachments 21:26.400 --> 21:28.569 in support of global missions . He 21:28.579 --> 21:31.949 flawlessly managed a 3200 personnel and 21:31.959 --> 21:35.329 27 mission design series valued at $6.5 21:35.339 --> 21:38.260 billion to execute more than 3500 21:38.270 --> 21:40.119 sorties . Colonel Rachel also 21:40.130 --> 21:43.410 orchestrated a massive 18,200 hour 21:43.459 --> 21:46.109 annual flying program while officially 21:46.119 --> 21:48.810 managing a $24 million annual budget . 21:49.630 --> 21:52.290 He skillfully directed 68 deployments 21:52.300 --> 21:54.199 supporting six combatant commands 21:54.209 --> 21:56.459 across the department of Defense under 21:56.469 --> 21:58.989 his expert leadership . 55th Operations 21:59.000 --> 22:01.599 Group , air crews flew 250 combat 22:01.609 --> 22:03.869 sorties in support of operations in 22:03.880 --> 22:06.180 Spartan Shield and inherent resolve . 22:06.189 --> 22:09.199 In addition to executing more than 1700 22:09.219 --> 22:11.441 sensitive reconnaissance operations and 22:11.441 --> 22:13.219 treaty verification . Sorting . 22:13.339 --> 22:15.561 Furthermore , Colonel Rachel ushered in 22:15.561 --> 22:17.814 a new era of express capability with 22:17.824 --> 22:21.214 the retiring of legacy WC 135 aircraft . 22:21.454 --> 22:24.905 In addition of three new WC 135 R 22:24.915 --> 22:26.971 mission design series bolstering our 22:26.971 --> 22:29.344 nation's nuclear detection capabilities . 22:29.614 --> 22:31.525 Finally , he established 55th 22:31.535 --> 22:34.055 Operations Group detachment one at 22:34.064 --> 22:36.285 joint base in North Richardson to 22:36.295 --> 22:38.351 strength , strengthen the 55th Wings 22:38.351 --> 22:41.064 posture against adversaries in the 22:41.074 --> 22:43.130 United States . Indo Pacific command 22:43.130 --> 22:45.619 area of responsibility . The singularly 22:45.630 --> 22:47.797 distinctive accomplishments of Colonel 22:47.797 --> 22:50.019 Rachel culminate a distinguished career 22:50.019 --> 22:51.908 in the service of his country and 22:51.908 --> 22:54.074 reflects great credit upon himself and 22:54.074 --> 22:55.741 the United States Air Force . 23:23.280 --> 23:25.709 Bruno , ladies and gentlemen , please 23:25.719 --> 23:28.280 take your seats . It is my honor to 23:28.290 --> 23:30.290 present to you the commander of the 23:30.290 --> 23:32.401 55th Operations Group , Colonel Derek 23:32.401 --> 23:33.401 Rachel . 23:43.400 --> 23:46.170 Oh boy , here we go . So for those who 23:46.180 --> 23:48.790 know me , I ask your patience , please 23:48.800 --> 23:50.856 bear with me as I get through this . 23:50.856 --> 23:53.022 It's a big deal for me and my family . 23:53.022 --> 23:55.356 So I just ask your patience . All right , 23:55.356 --> 23:57.510 happy Monday , everyone . What an 23:57.520 --> 24:01.119 amazing day for the 55th group . I got 24:01.130 --> 24:03.359 to give a huge shout out . Thank you to 24:03.369 --> 24:05.890 uh Kevin J and uh Sergeant Rogers for 24:05.900 --> 24:08.122 planning the event today . These things 24:08.122 --> 24:10.233 do not put themselves together any of 24:10.233 --> 24:12.400 you who in the crowd who have tried to 24:12.400 --> 24:14.678 put these ceremonies together you know , 24:14.678 --> 24:14.670 it's a big undertaking and they did it 24:14.680 --> 24:16.791 amazing . So I really appreciate your 24:16.791 --> 24:19.124 hard work . Thank you , Sergeant Wilson . 24:19.124 --> 24:21.069 Ma'am . Always a pleasure . Axel . 24:21.069 --> 24:23.291 Brother could have done that one better 24:23.291 --> 24:25.013 honor guard . Thank you for uh 24:25.013 --> 24:27.180 presenting the colors today . You guys 24:27.180 --> 24:27.150 are all over the , the country 24:27.160 --> 24:29.493 presenting colors . It's not lost on me . 24:29.493 --> 24:31.604 I'm grateful that you're here today . 24:31.604 --> 24:33.771 David Brother , I knew you would knock 24:33.771 --> 24:35.882 it out of the park . I'm very humbled 24:35.882 --> 24:38.049 that you're willing to do this . So it 24:38.049 --> 24:39.549 was a great honor . And uh 24:39.549 --> 24:41.716 unfortunately , all the sadness that I 24:41.716 --> 24:44.180 stand before you today being your OG 24:44.189 --> 24:46.300 has been the culmination of my career 24:46.300 --> 24:48.589 spanning three decades . No way I could 24:48.599 --> 24:50.821 have predicted that I would be standing 24:50.821 --> 24:52.877 in front of you today as an airman , 24:52.877 --> 24:54.877 colonel rated officer and leader of 24:54.877 --> 24:56.932 thousands of amazing airmen fighting 24:56.932 --> 24:58.988 for freedom all over the world as we 24:58.988 --> 25:01.155 speak . Not too bad for a dumb for kid 25:01.155 --> 25:04.250 from Arkansas . I'd like to thank those 25:04.260 --> 25:06.316 who helped me get here and those who 25:06.316 --> 25:08.719 help me stay here sometimes in spite of 25:08.729 --> 25:10.896 myself . Thank you , Jesus Christ , my 25:10.896 --> 25:12.785 Lord and savior for giving me the 25:12.785 --> 25:14.951 strength and the patience to be the OG 25:14.951 --> 25:16.896 for the past two years and all the 25:16.896 --> 25:19.118 other opportunities standing up to this 25:19.118 --> 25:21.396 point . Way too many mentors , friends , 25:21.396 --> 25:23.489 coworkers , supervisors and 25:23.500 --> 25:25.839 subordinates that I gleaned many 25:25.849 --> 25:27.849 different aspects of leadership and 25:27.849 --> 25:29.960 professionalism from to name them all 25:29.960 --> 25:32.127 here . However , there are many of you 25:32.127 --> 25:34.270 in the crowd . I promise I'm going to 25:34.280 --> 25:36.579 miss somebody and I'm sorry , it's not 25:36.589 --> 25:38.969 unintentional but being the commander , 25:38.979 --> 25:41.146 the largest group in the Air Force , I 25:41.146 --> 25:43.368 did not get here all by myself . And so 25:43.368 --> 25:45.423 there is a ton of individuals that I 25:45.423 --> 25:47.146 should have on this list , but 25:47.146 --> 25:50.310 otherwise we'll be here all day . The 25:50.319 --> 25:52.097 comment . I'm trying to keep my 25:52.097 --> 25:54.208 comments under an hour from an hour . 25:54.208 --> 25:56.208 Please keep them , please keep them 25:56.208 --> 25:58.208 that way . And I also got to try to 25:58.208 --> 26:00.208 keep from getting way too emotional 26:00.208 --> 26:02.319 because every single one of the names 26:02.319 --> 26:04.430 that I want to mention , there's tons 26:04.430 --> 26:04.199 of stories with every one of these 26:04.209 --> 26:07.010 names . So uh I'll truncate the list to 26:07.020 --> 26:09.187 just a select handful of individuals . 26:09.187 --> 26:11.020 Colonel Howard , sir , first and 26:11.020 --> 26:13.076 foremost . Thank you . Thank you for 26:13.076 --> 26:15.076 presiding over today's ceremony . I 26:15.076 --> 26:15.020 appreciate you letting me lead as the 26:15.030 --> 26:16.989 OG and I sincerely appreciate your 26:17.000 --> 26:18.944 friendship and your willingness to 26:18.944 --> 26:21.520 tolerate my leadership style . I did 26:21.530 --> 26:23.641 work diligently to get the OG focused 26:23.641 --> 26:26.239 on your priorities and execute as the 26:26.250 --> 26:28.417 professionals we know they are . So it 26:28.417 --> 26:30.306 was an amazing speech . I'm truly 26:30.306 --> 26:32.528 humbled that you're willing to take the 26:32.528 --> 26:34.750 time and piece all that together . So , 26:34.750 --> 26:36.806 thank you , truly . Uh And it was an 26:36.806 --> 26:38.972 honor to get to uh jam with you on the 26:38.972 --> 26:41.194 couple of select opportunities we had . 26:41.194 --> 26:40.500 So , thank you . Thank you for being 26:40.510 --> 26:42.732 very approachable . Thank you for being 26:42.732 --> 26:44.843 an amazing boss . Very to Joe Gavin . 26:44.843 --> 26:47.280 Marks Colonel retired Mike Nan . Thank 26:47.290 --> 26:49.512 you for the confidence you had in me to 26:49.512 --> 26:51.401 hire me as the 55th . Og . I will 26:51.401 --> 26:53.520 always be grateful for your support , 26:53.530 --> 26:56.359 friendship and mentorship . Colonel 26:56.369 --> 26:58.202 Gray , Colonel Clement , Colonel 26:58.202 --> 27:00.147 Hinsley , Colonel Bozone , Colonel 27:00.147 --> 27:02.369 Kesia . Thank you for being world class 27:02.369 --> 27:04.750 teammates . Truly an amazing honor to 27:04.760 --> 27:07.550 be part of this team learning from each 27:07.560 --> 27:09.504 of you and having you as peers and 27:09.504 --> 27:12.099 friends made this job fun . I wish you 27:12.109 --> 27:14.276 and your families all the best in your 27:14.276 --> 27:16.869 future endeavors . Fellow deputies that 27:16.880 --> 27:19.699 worked with me on the staff axel Damon 27:19.880 --> 27:23.040 Jane Jason again , confident , we're 27:23.050 --> 27:25.272 gonna miss somebody . However , what an 27:25.272 --> 27:27.439 amazing team of superstars . Thank you 27:27.439 --> 27:29.550 for your hard work in helping me lead 27:29.550 --> 27:31.439 thousands of airmen executing our 27:31.439 --> 27:33.439 global mission with the world-class 27:33.439 --> 27:35.772 professionalism of the 55th OG mandates . 27:35.772 --> 27:37.939 Truly , you are the team that actually 27:37.939 --> 27:40.060 runs the OG . I just stand around and 27:40.069 --> 27:42.291 drink coffee all day while you make the 27:42.291 --> 27:45.729 magic happen . Chief AJ lacure , 27:45.939 --> 27:48.569 chief Marques Soto and the most amazing 27:48.579 --> 27:51.750 chief Chief Deborah Sanders , true 27:51.760 --> 27:53.819 wingman and women that I had the 27:53.829 --> 27:56.750 pleasure of working for . You were all 27:56.760 --> 28:00.650 the A nines . Well , I was just 28:00.660 --> 28:03.300 in 06 . I'm a be airman because of the 28:03.310 --> 28:05.421 pleasure of working and learning from 28:05.421 --> 28:07.588 the best chiefs in the industry . T of 28:07.588 --> 28:09.880 that sincerely hope you achieve all the 28:09.890 --> 28:13.270 things and all the stuff that you and 28:13.280 --> 28:15.613 your family dear . You are a great whip . 28:18.640 --> 28:22.270 Mhm . Execs in the vast 28:22.280 --> 28:25.030 majority future leaders of America , 28:26.760 --> 28:28.829 Mark Lomer Rachel , bro , Carolina 28:28.890 --> 28:31.057 Stivers , Nick Petro , Alex Anderson , 28:31.057 --> 28:32.946 Eric Manzella Tria Young and Hija 28:33.469 --> 28:35.358 Rasana . I hope our time together 28:35.358 --> 28:37.247 yielded some positive ideas and a 28:37.247 --> 28:39.358 strong foundation of what it takes to 28:39.358 --> 28:41.413 be a leader in today's Air force . I 28:41.413 --> 28:43.358 know each of you have great things 28:43.358 --> 28:45.729 ahead . Sarah hold account a true 28:45.739 --> 28:47.683 powerhouse . There's nothing Sarah 28:47.683 --> 28:50.310 cannot do and I tried to give her as 28:50.319 --> 28:52.630 much room to grow , maneuver and 28:52.640 --> 28:54.910 execute as possible on the great set . 28:55.469 --> 28:57.691 Sarah , you're never disappointed . You 28:57.691 --> 28:59.691 always crush the task no matter how 28:59.691 --> 29:01.802 hard you and Willy and you ensured it 29:01.802 --> 29:03.802 was up to your standard . The OG is 29:03.802 --> 29:05.969 better with you and the team Harold if 29:05.969 --> 29:08.479 you know him , you know him easily , 29:08.489 --> 29:10.489 one of the hardest working resource 29:10.489 --> 29:12.267 advisors in the business and an 29:12.267 --> 29:14.322 absolute financial legend globally . 29:14.322 --> 29:16.489 Every time I was blessed to have Larry 29:16.489 --> 29:16.400 travel with me overseas , he made the 29:16.410 --> 29:18.979 units better immediately when he showed 29:18.989 --> 29:21.100 up , Larry finds you unique solutions 29:21.100 --> 29:23.322 to tough problems and I'm going to miss 29:23.322 --> 29:25.433 that smile and positive demeanor more 29:25.433 --> 29:27.600 than you'll ever know . Brian Thomas , 29:27.600 --> 29:29.711 former corner commander of the OG and 29:29.711 --> 29:31.767 executor of all things , deployments 29:31.767 --> 29:33.878 and Taskings for the OG . Your job is 29:33.878 --> 29:35.989 tough . You made it look easy . Thank 29:35.989 --> 29:35.530 you for being a great friend , mentor 29:35.540 --> 29:38.819 and badass teammate , Andy Tracy , a 29:38.829 --> 29:41.040 true superpower of the wing her . You 29:41.050 --> 29:43.272 can match the insight and tenacity with 29:43.272 --> 29:45.328 which Andy coordinates assignments , 29:45.328 --> 29:47.217 bar , napkin leadership plans and 29:47.217 --> 29:48.994 outright mentorship . Then Andy 29:48.994 --> 29:51.119 executes Billy . I've been fortunate 29:51.130 --> 29:53.297 enough to enjoy observing and learning 29:53.297 --> 29:55.297 from you and I'll treasure our time 29:55.297 --> 29:57.463 together . Thank you , sir . Thanks to 29:57.463 --> 29:59.630 all of you on the OG staff for putting 29:59.630 --> 30:01.797 up with me for the last two years . OG 30:01.797 --> 30:03.963 teammates that I must give a shout out 30:03.963 --> 30:03.959 to because their relationship with the 30:03.969 --> 30:06.130 OG is critical to the success of our 30:06.140 --> 30:09.229 mission . Kirk Kingsville , John Cooper , 30:09.239 --> 30:12.390 Brian Kingston , my best ETF I teammate , 30:12.400 --> 30:14.567 Wendy Schorsch . You have no idea what 30:14.567 --> 30:16.733 your friendship and mentorship mean to 30:16.733 --> 30:18.622 me . Wendy and I was recorded the 30:18.622 --> 30:20.678 commanders together a few years back 30:20.678 --> 30:22.900 and Wendy's TF I is exactly what Wright 30:22.900 --> 30:25.569 looks like . Thanks again to the uh 30:25.579 --> 30:28.290 reservist of the 49th is thank you 30:28.300 --> 30:30.356 again for all your willingness to uh 30:30.356 --> 30:32.467 put up with us as we try to learn how 30:32.467 --> 30:34.800 to grow and , and uh be better partners . 30:34.800 --> 30:36.689 The 55th OG cannot do our mission 30:36.689 --> 30:38.800 without our TF I team . Thank you for 30:38.800 --> 30:41.022 being a , a rockstar team , uh rockstar 30:41.022 --> 30:44.300 TF I team ref teammates , Salvers Keith 30:44.469 --> 30:46.691 Basset Steve Vanderkloot . Just to name 30:46.691 --> 30:48.469 a few . Thank you for being the 30:48.469 --> 30:50.247 consummate professionals . Your 30:50.247 --> 30:52.469 oversight of the ref program make you a 30:52.469 --> 30:54.580 key partner with the US RC 135 team . 30:54.580 --> 30:56.989 Thank you squatter commanders here and 30:57.000 --> 30:59.390 abroad . When you are the group 30:59.400 --> 31:01.400 commander of the largest in the air 31:01.400 --> 31:03.622 force . We have a lot of squadrons with 31:03.622 --> 31:05.789 awesome leaders . Way too many to list 31:05.789 --> 31:07.900 here . They've all come and gone over 31:07.900 --> 31:10.122 the last two years . But rest assured I 31:10.122 --> 31:10.099 have unique , positive memories of each 31:10.109 --> 31:12.331 of you . I'll always enter back and ask 31:12.331 --> 31:15.219 that you lead boldly , you and your 31:15.229 --> 31:17.285 mission depend on it . You were hand 31:17.285 --> 31:19.396 picked to lead airman and all you are 31:19.396 --> 31:21.285 doing it with professionalism and 31:21.285 --> 31:23.118 patience that the job requires . 31:23.118 --> 31:25.007 Congratulations on being squadron 31:25.007 --> 31:27.479 commanders . It is the best job in the 31:27.489 --> 31:30.339 air force . Got to the really hard part . 31:33.199 --> 31:35.199 I gotta get through this one pretty 31:35.199 --> 31:37.143 quick . So bear with me . I'm just 31:37.143 --> 31:39.310 gonna read fast mom and dad . I really 31:39.310 --> 31:41.310 wish you could be here , but I know 31:41.310 --> 31:43.366 you're in spirit . I hope I made you 31:43.366 --> 31:45.849 proud . I'd be further ahead . 31:49.260 --> 31:51.316 I always looked up to you . I'm very 31:51.316 --> 31:53.538 happy to have you and Jackie here today 31:53.538 --> 31:55.640 for this event . A big sister Sheena 31:55.910 --> 31:57.743 saving lives every day is pretty 31:57.743 --> 31:59.800 daunting , isn't it ? I'm truly 31:59.810 --> 32:02.032 grateful to you and Eric took some time 32:02.032 --> 32:04.032 off from performing all the medical 32:04.032 --> 32:06.143 miracles you perform in Florida every 32:06.143 --> 32:09.209 day to be here with us . Magnetic spin . 32:10.250 --> 32:12.472 Uh Sadly , his wife , LT cannot be here 32:12.472 --> 32:14.694 today . And my other nephew , Jacob and 32:14.694 --> 32:16.806 his wife Marley , you guys have grown 32:16.806 --> 32:18.694 up and become the epitome of what 32:18.694 --> 32:18.650 wright looks like in your families and 32:18.660 --> 32:20.716 careers . I'm honored . You took the 32:20.716 --> 32:22.716 time to come up from Florida and be 32:22.716 --> 32:24.827 here with us today . Jennifer's mom , 32:24.827 --> 32:26.938 her sister , Melissa . Why are unable 32:26.938 --> 32:26.530 to be here ? I hope you know that I'm 32:26.540 --> 32:29.650 thinking about you today . Uh Thank you 32:29.660 --> 32:31.771 for letting me hang out with Jennifer 32:31.989 --> 32:34.540 for the past gazillion years . If 32:34.550 --> 32:36.717 you're welcoming me into your family . 32:37.189 --> 32:39.133 All right . Here we go . Wifey . I 32:39.133 --> 32:41.189 married my high school sweetheart 25 32:41.189 --> 32:43.356 years ago . I have no idea why you put 32:43.356 --> 32:45.522 up with me , but I'm glad you knew . I 32:45.522 --> 32:47.356 promise the next 25 will be less 32:47.356 --> 32:49.633 stressful , filled with new adventures , 32:49.633 --> 32:51.633 new scenery in our bus . As Colonel 32:51.633 --> 32:53.745 Howard mentioned with a couple of new 32:53.745 --> 32:55.856 puppies and I'm confident it will not 32:55.856 --> 32:58.078 be boring . Thank you for being on this 32:58.078 --> 33:00.300 journey with me . I could not have done 33:00.300 --> 33:02.467 this without you . Stop crying , makes 33:02.467 --> 33:05.530 me cry . All right , John de Zacco 33:05.540 --> 33:07.651 brother , you are quite a lucky man . 33:07.910 --> 33:10.132 When I took over two years ago , we had 33:10.132 --> 33:11.966 no runway . We were crushing the 33:11.966 --> 33:14.188 mission out of Lincoln and we struggled 33:14.188 --> 33:16.449 still with the COVID Malaise . Yet our 33:16.459 --> 33:18.626 missions were relentless today , we're 33:18.626 --> 33:20.570 able to crush a significant flight 33:20.570 --> 33:22.737 training burden to ensure aviators are 33:22.737 --> 33:24.792 safe , yet effective . We have found 33:24.792 --> 33:26.959 unique ways of producing extra sorties 33:26.959 --> 33:29.181 with the limited number of jets we have 33:29.181 --> 33:31.015 on the ramp . We are the premier 33:31.015 --> 33:33.126 reconnaissance platform , the dod and 33:33.126 --> 33:35.181 everyone wants our goodness in their 33:35.181 --> 33:37.403 area of responsibility . So the task is 33:37.403 --> 33:39.292 really going to grow finally , we 33:39.292 --> 33:41.348 realign ourselves in accordance with 33:41.348 --> 33:41.310 the Air Force Force generation model to 33:41.319 --> 33:43.375 provide stability and predictability 33:43.375 --> 33:45.263 for our airmen while ensuring the 33:45.263 --> 33:47.208 command commanders we we support , 33:47.208 --> 33:49.541 achieve the required intel requirements . 33:49.760 --> 33:51.871 John , you're in here one of the most 33:51.871 --> 33:53.538 combat , effective , yet well 33:53.538 --> 33:55.538 disciplined and motivated operation 33:55.538 --> 33:57.760 troops in the entire air force . I know 33:57.760 --> 33:59.871 I served in many other wings and this 33:59.871 --> 34:01.982 one is the awesome , you were an easy 34:01.982 --> 34:04.149 pick with the job and I hope you drive 34:04.149 --> 34:03.880 it like you stole it every day . 34:04.089 --> 34:06.650 Congrats to Lolly and the kids . I hope 34:06.660 --> 34:08.604 you enjoy your time while he is in 34:08.604 --> 34:10.771 command . It was an absolute honor for 34:10.771 --> 34:12.827 Jennifer and I uh to serve as the OG 34:12.827 --> 34:14.993 finally and most important the men and 34:14.993 --> 34:17.340 women of the street team . Windsor . 34:17.659 --> 34:20.198 Thank you . Thank you for raising your 34:20.208 --> 34:22.430 hand and volunteering to wear the cloth 34:22.430 --> 34:24.652 of our nation and defend freedom at our 34:24.652 --> 34:26.764 top and place in choosing . Thank you 34:26.764 --> 34:28.930 for leading and executing fearlessly . 34:28.930 --> 34:31.041 Thank you for your willingness to put 34:31.041 --> 34:33.208 yourself in harm's way . When asked to 34:33.208 --> 34:35.430 go , the enemy has no idea what they're 34:35.430 --> 34:37.652 in store for . If they choose to engage 34:37.652 --> 34:39.819 with us , we have the advantage due to 34:39.819 --> 34:41.875 the greatest weapon in our arsenal . 34:41.875 --> 34:43.948 You , our freedom depends on amazing 34:43.958 --> 34:46.269 Americans like you and I know we are in 34:46.279 --> 34:48.370 very good hands . Even though I'm 34:48.379 --> 34:50.490 giving up the guide on today , I will 34:50.490 --> 34:52.546 never give up on being a patriot . A 34:52.546 --> 34:55.250 mentor , a friend , a sounding board , 34:55.270 --> 34:58.709 a confidant or a buyer of 34:58.719 --> 35:00.941 beverages . When our path grows again , 35:01.459 --> 35:04.100 it is ever goodbye . It is . See you 35:04.110 --> 35:06.620 later . I'll leave you with one quote 35:06.629 --> 35:08.796 from General Mattis that I heard while 35:08.796 --> 35:10.907 I was studying leadership at the Army 35:10.907 --> 35:12.962 Command and Staff College , the most 35:12.962 --> 35:16.080 important six inches on the battlefield 35:16.090 --> 35:19.719 are between your ears . Please 35:19.729 --> 35:22.510 use that tool wisely . It is your 35:22.520 --> 35:25.610 competitive advantage . As Colonel 35:25.639 --> 35:27.861 Howard stated , our retirement ceremony 35:27.861 --> 35:29.695 will be tomorrow over in the 557 35:29.695 --> 35:33.389 weather week at uh on about 855 . I 35:33.399 --> 35:35.343 hope all of you in the room can be 35:35.343 --> 35:37.510 there and join me and my family . As I 35:37.510 --> 35:39.621 attempt to say , thank you to several 35:39.621 --> 35:41.621 awesome individuals that molded and 35:41.621 --> 35:43.843 shaped me in my career . Yes , there'll 35:43.843 --> 35:45.399 be some reminiscing . Yes . 35:45.399 --> 35:47.732 Unfortunately , I'll be emotional again , 35:47.732 --> 35:49.955 but it would be an honor to have all of 35:49.955 --> 35:52.066 you there . Happy Monday , everyone . 35:52.066 --> 35:54.121 Thank you for being here today . See 35:54.121 --> 35:54.030 you later . 36:14.770 --> 36:16.881 Thank you Colonel Rachel . Ladies and 36:16.881 --> 36:19.103 gentlemen , please stand for the change 36:19.103 --> 36:20.326 of command ceremony . 36:24.780 --> 36:27.750 What you intentional orders under the 36:27.760 --> 36:29.871 provisions of Air Force destruction ? 36:29.871 --> 36:32.260 51-604 . And in accordance with a 36:32.270 --> 36:35.709 special order dated 1 July 2024 Colonel 36:35.719 --> 36:38.370 John J Eak is appointed commander 55th 36:38.379 --> 36:40.479 Operations Group succeeding Colonel 36:40.489 --> 36:44.320 Derek A Rachel effective 1 July 2024 by 36:44.330 --> 36:46.149 order of Colonel Mark D Howard 36:46.159 --> 36:49.280 commander 55th Wing off Air Force base 36:49.290 --> 36:50.290 Nebraska . 37:26.479 --> 37:27.479 Hm , 37:36.209 --> 37:40.179 please . It is my pleasure to introduce 37:40.189 --> 37:42.022 to you the commander of the 55th 37:42.022 --> 37:44.300 Operations Group , Colonel John Isacco . 37:55.510 --> 37:57.454 All right . Thank you for the kind 37:57.454 --> 37:59.399 words and the warm reception , our 37:59.399 --> 38:01.566 family , we absolutely appreciate it . 38:01.566 --> 38:03.732 This is our fourth assignment to often 38:03.732 --> 38:05.677 and we're very happy to be back in 38:05.677 --> 38:07.510 Omaha , Colonel Howard , our new 38:07.510 --> 38:09.677 neighbor , which you mentioned several 38:09.677 --> 38:11.788 times and to Colonel Greg . Thank you 38:11.788 --> 38:11.669 for placing trust immediately . The 38:11.949 --> 38:14.169 group we need leaders who can conquer 38:14.179 --> 38:16.068 present day challenges while also 38:16.068 --> 38:18.290 having a clear vision for where we need 38:18.290 --> 38:20.290 to be in the future . That's a rare 38:20.290 --> 38:22.290 skill , but you certainly have that 38:22.290 --> 38:24.346 ability and we're looking forward to 38:24.346 --> 38:26.457 making your vision a reality for volt 38:26.457 --> 38:28.568 as he alluded to . This is our second 38:28.568 --> 38:30.623 time swapping jobs . This changeover 38:30.623 --> 38:32.735 was a bit more complicated . But your 38:32.735 --> 38:34.957 commitment to getting me up to speed is 38:34.957 --> 38:36.790 unmatched and indicative of your 38:36.790 --> 38:38.790 service for those of you who are in 38:38.790 --> 38:40.790 command or who have commanded , you 38:40.790 --> 38:43.012 know the drill , you know what you walk 38:43.012 --> 38:45.068 through the door and what challenges 38:45.068 --> 38:47.235 you may face in those moments where an 38:47.235 --> 38:49.290 airmen and their family needs help . 38:49.290 --> 38:51.401 Give me a commander that cares . Give 38:51.401 --> 38:53.623 me a commander that is fully present in 38:53.623 --> 38:55.735 the moment . Give me a commander that 38:55.735 --> 38:57.790 is fully invested in that airmen and 38:57.790 --> 38:59.957 their family or maybe more simply give 38:59.957 --> 39:01.989 me Derek Rachel . Well , Jennifer , 39:02.159 --> 39:04.048 thank you for your service to our 39:04.048 --> 39:06.215 nation and the Air Force . I know this 39:06.215 --> 39:08.437 is a bittersweet day , a lot of emotion 39:08.437 --> 39:10.603 today and tomorrow , but just remember 39:10.603 --> 39:12.492 in one month , you're gonna be at 39:12.492 --> 39:14.548 Sturgis and we'll probably be on our 39:14.548 --> 39:14.179 third weather back . So I think it's a 39:14.189 --> 39:16.310 pretty , I think it's a pretty good 39:16.320 --> 39:19.989 deal . Of 39:20.000 --> 39:21.778 course , the success of the 135 39:21.780 --> 39:24.002 enterprise is not defined by one person 39:24.002 --> 39:26.169 but really an incredible collection of 39:26.169 --> 39:28.391 leaders in stellar and Herman . This is 39:28.391 --> 39:30.113 reflected by our current group 39:30.113 --> 39:32.224 leadership . Colonel Bosing , Colonel 39:32.224 --> 39:34.447 Fetters Colon Olesiak , Colonel Hensley 39:34.447 --> 39:36.613 and Colonel SARS . It's also reflected 39:36.613 --> 39:38.780 by the presence of multiple wing group 39:38.780 --> 39:40.891 squatter commanders and our guard and 39:40.891 --> 39:42.724 reserve partners . I joined this 39:42.724 --> 39:44.613 community in 2009 and I've always 39:44.613 --> 39:46.613 admired my land organizations , the 39:46.613 --> 39:48.724 elite performance in which we operate 39:48.724 --> 39:50.724 today around the world 24 7 is only 39:50.724 --> 39:53.090 possible through your leadership . And 39:53.100 --> 39:55.267 while we can't always be in the room , 39:55.267 --> 39:57.433 we know we have advocacy at all levels 39:57.433 --> 39:59.378 from the tremendous support of the 39:59.378 --> 40:01.544 often advisory council , including our 40:01.544 --> 40:03.656 ops group honor and Commander Mr Paul 40:03.656 --> 40:05.211 Lambert to our governmental 40:05.211 --> 40:07.378 representatives of the local state and 40:07.378 --> 40:09.544 federal level . The success of the 135 40:09.544 --> 40:11.600 community is a direct result of your 40:11.600 --> 40:13.711 commitment and advocacy . Thank you . 40:14.860 --> 40:16.749 You know , games like today are a 40:16.749 --> 40:18.971 reminder that you don't get anywhere by 40:18.971 --> 40:21.193 yourself . So most importantly , I need 40:21.193 --> 40:23.304 to thank my family rolling three rows 40:23.304 --> 40:25.527 deep here coming in from Pennsylvania , 40:25.527 --> 40:27.749 Washington DC . North Carolina , Gretna 40:28.199 --> 40:31.290 Davie , Nebraska , Austin , Texas , 40:31.300 --> 40:33.419 Colorado Springs . And last but not 40:33.429 --> 40:35.639 least the United States Air Force 40:35.649 --> 40:38.780 Academy to my mom and dad and , and 40:38.790 --> 40:40.989 Mike Isako brothers , Mike and Tim 40:41.000 --> 40:42.667 sisters Elizabeth and Maria , 40:42.820 --> 40:45.129 sister-in-law Tracy , niece Madeline 40:45.139 --> 40:47.139 and nephew Jack . It truly the best 40:47.139 --> 40:49.850 family . Anyone can help for blessed 40:49.860 --> 40:52.082 with wonderful in-law parents and Steve 40:52.082 --> 40:54.304 and Judy , Slight Amy and Patrick Moose 40:54.304 --> 40:56.610 their kids , Sam and Cece and my Air 40:56.620 --> 40:58.731 Force Academy sponsor , retired Chief 40:58.731 --> 41:01.010 Pastor Sergeant Steven Bieber . People 41:01.020 --> 41:03.076 have offered a lot of congratulatory 41:03.076 --> 41:05.242 messages to me today . But the reality 41:05.242 --> 41:07.409 is that none of this would be possible 41:07.409 --> 41:09.409 without you . And of course , Molly 41:09.409 --> 41:11.530 Asako and our three boys , Luke Josh 41:11.540 --> 41:14.110 and Jacob Molly has made me a better 41:14.120 --> 41:16.489 person in all walks of life , more 41:16.500 --> 41:18.444 compassionate , more caring , more 41:18.444 --> 41:20.722 thoughtful . I'm better because of you , 41:20.722 --> 41:22.833 but really just thankful and lucky to 41:22.833 --> 41:25.479 be with you to our boys . I know you're 41:25.489 --> 41:27.489 gonna bring a lot of excitement and 41:27.489 --> 41:29.489 noise and who knows what else ? The 41:29.489 --> 41:31.840 general's room , some questions about 41:31.850 --> 41:34.280 that house with the white fence , uh 41:34.290 --> 41:36.512 Cyril Cox's house , just stay away from 41:36.512 --> 41:38.734 it . That's all you need to do . It's a 41:38.734 --> 41:41.489 pretty simple one , just one rule . So 41:41.500 --> 41:43.333 uh when talking about this job , 41:43.333 --> 41:45.444 everyone asked me , are you excited a 41:45.444 --> 41:47.556 lot ? I , I know what I'm supposed to 41:47.556 --> 41:49.778 say and the answer is obvious . But the 41:49.778 --> 41:51.944 real question is why I'm excited about 41:51.944 --> 41:54.056 the talent , the talent of our airmen 41:54.056 --> 41:56.278 and the capabilities of this aircraft . 41:56.278 --> 41:55.919 The mission and capabilities of this 41:55.929 --> 41:58.151 aircraft are singular in danger , which 41:58.151 --> 42:00.262 means we have airmen who do things no 42:00.262 --> 42:02.969 other airmen can do , do our airmen 42:02.979 --> 42:05.090 know that you are at the forefront of 42:05.090 --> 42:07.929 my mind . Always I see your town and 42:07.939 --> 42:11.219 honestly , I'm in awe of it and as we 42:11.229 --> 42:13.479 put the wings vision into execution , 42:13.780 --> 42:15.724 the entire air force will see your 42:15.724 --> 42:17.850 talent as well . But really , I , I'm 42:17.860 --> 42:20.070 just excited to win to be clear . This 42:20.080 --> 42:22.080 is a winning as an ops group . It's 42:22.080 --> 42:24.247 much bigger than that . It's about all 42:24.247 --> 42:26.358 the groups , the 55th wing in our Air 42:26.358 --> 42:28.580 Force . The challenges may change , but 42:28.580 --> 42:30.580 the task remains the same to win to 42:30.580 --> 42:33.439 outwork outthink outmaneuver competing 42:33.449 --> 42:35.616 everywhere , competing all the time in 42:35.616 --> 42:37.929 any arena with a relentless mindset 42:37.939 --> 42:39.772 that doesn't rest on yesterday's 42:39.772 --> 42:41.717 accomplishments or rather one that 42:41.717 --> 42:43.828 wakes up each day , ready and excited 42:43.828 --> 42:46.161 for the next challenge . Colonel Howard . 42:46.161 --> 42:47.828 Thank you for allowing me the 42:47.828 --> 42:50.050 opportunity to lead this organization , 42:50.050 --> 42:52.161 an organization that has the talent , 42:52.161 --> 42:53.772 an organization that has the 42:53.772 --> 42:55.883 capabilities and an organization that 42:55.883 --> 42:58.106 knows how to win . Let's get after it . 42:58.106 --> 42:57.060 Thank you . 43:21.530 --> 43:24.159 Thank you , Colonel , ladies and 43:24.169 --> 43:26.830 gentlemen of the 55th Operations group , 43:26.840 --> 43:29.062 we're proud to have served with Colonel 43:29.062 --> 43:31.284 and Mrs Rachel . We wish them good luck 43:31.284 --> 43:33.562 at God's speed in their next endeavors . 43:33.562 --> 43:35.673 We are honored to welcome Colonel and 43:35.673 --> 43:37.618 Mrs Isako and their family to team 43:37.618 --> 43:39.618 often as he assumes the band of the 43:39.618 --> 43:41.507 55th Operations Group , we invite 43:41.507 --> 43:43.340 everyone to attend the reception 43:43.340 --> 43:45.340 immediately following this ceremony 43:45.340 --> 43:47.396 here in doc . One , please stand and 43:47.396 --> 43:49.840 join us . We are in the playing of the 43:49.850 --> 43:51.961 Air Force and remain standing for the 43:51.961 --> 43:53.961 departure of the official party and 43:53.961 --> 43:54.961 their families . 44:05.020 --> 44:07.760 Thank you the hot . Oh , fine . 44:19.050 --> 44:22.770 No . Oh , sweet and 44:30.800 --> 44:30.820 so .