WEBVTT 00:06.260 --> 00:08.371 Good morning , ladies and gentlemen , 00:08.371 --> 00:10.538 and welcome to the 238 combat training 00:10.538 --> 00:12.989 squadron redesignation ceremony . I'm 00:13.000 --> 00:15.111 Ron Blankenship and I'll be narrating 00:15.111 --> 00:17.479 today's event on behalf of our 00:17.489 --> 00:19.489 presiding officer , Colonel Wendy J 00:19.489 --> 00:23.049 Squash 1/70 group commander Nebraska 00:23.059 --> 00:25.139 National Guard . Welcome to today's 00:25.149 --> 00:28.229 ceremony . We would like to welcome our 00:28.239 --> 00:30.520 special guest with us today , Mr 00:30.530 --> 00:34.389 Matthew Squash , Mr Luke Squash , Mrs 00:34.400 --> 00:38.139 Kathleen Wallace , MS Madeleine Wallace 00:38.150 --> 00:41.849 and Mr Patrick Wallace . In addition , 00:42.540 --> 00:44.720 we are very pleased to have numerous 00:44.729 --> 00:46.785 distinguished visitors in attendance 00:46.785 --> 00:48.618 with us today . Please hold your 00:48.618 --> 00:51.009 applause until all introductions have 00:51.020 --> 00:53.979 been made . We would like to recognize 00:54.380 --> 00:56.324 the honorable Pete Ricketts United 00:56.324 --> 00:58.790 States Senator for Nebraska , the 00:58.799 --> 01:00.779 honorable Don Bacon United States 01:00.790 --> 01:02.846 representative for Nebraska's second 01:02.846 --> 01:05.739 congressional district , the honorable 01:05.750 --> 01:08.059 Rita Sanders Nebraska state senator 01:08.069 --> 01:09.180 district 45 01:12.129 --> 01:14.300 brigadier general , Robert Hargens , 01:14.410 --> 01:16.709 assistant Adjutant General of Nebraska 01:16.720 --> 01:20.500 Air , representing the honorable Deb 01:20.510 --> 01:22.343 Fisher United States Senator for 01:22.343 --> 01:25.120 Nebraska is Mr Kevin Hubert , military 01:25.129 --> 01:28.790 advisor , Brigadier 01:28.800 --> 01:30.856 General Paul Cohen United States Air 01:30.856 --> 01:33.400 Force , retired honorary co commander 01:33.410 --> 01:37.059 1/70 group , Colonel Aaron Gray , 01:37.089 --> 01:38.819 deputy commander 55th W 01:40.959 --> 01:43.180 Colonel Spencer Hanson , Director of 01:43.190 --> 01:45.319 Staff Air Nebraska Joint Force 01:45.330 --> 01:49.269 headquarters , Colonel Eric Burke , 01:49.279 --> 01:51.750 55th maintenance group , deputy 01:51.760 --> 01:55.209 commander , chief master Sergeant , 01:55.220 --> 01:57.650 Jeffrey Horn State Command Chief 01:57.660 --> 02:01.050 Nebraska International Guard Chief , 02:01.059 --> 02:03.459 Master Sergeant , Ron Palika , 1/70 02:03.470 --> 02:05.692 group senior enlisted leader , Nebraska 02:05.699 --> 02:09.350 National Guard , Nebraska Army Guard 02:09.360 --> 02:11.693 Command , Sergeant major Dennis Kreklow , 02:14.000 --> 02:16.333 chief master Sergeant , Tabitha Sanders , 02:16.333 --> 02:18.667 55th OPS group , senior enlisted leader , 02:19.649 --> 02:21.816 as well as Chief Mass Sergeant , Jesse 02:21.816 --> 02:23.982 Lewandowski . 55th maintenance group , 02:23.982 --> 02:26.369 senior enlisted leader . We would also 02:26.380 --> 02:28.213 like to extend a warm welcome to 02:28.213 --> 02:30.669 commanders chiefs , first sergeants , 02:30.850 --> 02:33.389 the off advisory council , friends , 02:33.399 --> 02:35.399 family and the men and women of the 02:35.399 --> 02:37.630 Nebraska National Guard and team Offett 02:37.639 --> 02:39.195 that are joining us today . 02:48.850 --> 02:50.906 The ceremony you're going to witness 02:50.906 --> 02:53.072 today is a military tradition , deeply 02:53.072 --> 02:55.294 rooted in history and dates back to the 02:55.294 --> 02:57.429 time of the Roman legions . You guys 02:57.440 --> 03:00.610 thought I was gonna say Alexander uh in 03:00.619 --> 03:02.675 that period , military organizations 03:02.675 --> 03:04.897 developed flags that were unique to the 03:04.897 --> 03:06.952 organization with specialized colors 03:06.952 --> 03:08.897 and designs as command of the unit 03:08.897 --> 03:10.897 changed . The flag was exchanged in 03:10.897 --> 03:13.250 public for all to see that the one who 03:13.259 --> 03:15.203 holds the flag is the unchallenged 03:15.203 --> 03:17.639 leader . This gesture is accomplished 03:17.649 --> 03:19.760 in front of the unit so that everyone 03:19.760 --> 03:21.816 can see and witness their new leader 03:21.816 --> 03:25.779 assuming his dutiful position . Excuse 03:25.789 --> 03:27.660 me . In the same way , an 03:27.669 --> 03:29.836 organizational banner is ceremoniously 03:29.836 --> 03:31.710 unfurled to designate the unit's 03:31.720 --> 03:34.740 activation and furled to designate the 03:34.750 --> 03:37.779 unit's inactivation or redesignation . 03:38.960 --> 03:41.127 Today , the unfurling and fling of the 03:41.127 --> 03:42.990 flags . The 238 combat training 03:43.000 --> 03:45.860 squadron will be redesignated the 2 03:45.869 --> 03:48.500 38th reconnaissance squadron and 03:48.509 --> 03:50.676 Lieutenant Colonel Lowell Wallace will 03:50.676 --> 03:51.676 assume command . 03:54.779 --> 03:56.399 Come on . Come on , 04:00.809 --> 04:03.031 ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 04:03.031 --> 04:05.253 the arrival of the official party , the 04:05.253 --> 04:07.476 presentation of the colors by the Offed 04:07.476 --> 04:09.420 Air Force Base . Honor Guard , the 04:09.420 --> 04:11.309 singing of the national anthem by 04:11.309 --> 04:13.420 Airman Lawrence Lono . And we ask you 04:13.420 --> 04:15.531 to remain standing for the invocation 04:15.531 --> 04:17.531 given by religious affairs . Airman 04:17.531 --> 04:19.365 technical Sergeant , Jll Roach . 05:40.149 --> 05:44.040 Oh , say , can you see 05:44.049 --> 05:46.880 by the dawn's early 05:46.890 --> 05:49.970 light ? What so proudly ? 05:50.510 --> 05:54.480 We at the twilight's 05:54.489 --> 05:58.309 last gleaming whose broad 05:58.320 --> 06:02.190 stripes and bright stars through 06:02.200 --> 06:06.100 the pa fight or 06:06.109 --> 06:09.829 the ra parts we watched 06:09.839 --> 06:12.480 were so gallantly 06:12.970 --> 06:16.899 dreaming and the rockets 06:16.910 --> 06:19.750 red glare hear the bombs 06:19.760 --> 06:23.579 bursting in gay 06:23.589 --> 06:25.309 pro through the 06:27.260 --> 06:31.209 that our flag was still . Oh , 06:31.750 --> 06:35.079 say , does that star 06:35.089 --> 06:38.540 spangled banner yet ? 06:42.059 --> 06:45.869 Or the la and of the free 06:46.970 --> 06:50.329 and the home of the 06:52.309 --> 06:53.309 Dave ? 07:33.619 --> 07:35.730 And please remain standing for the ah 07:36.230 --> 07:37.452 tech sergeant Roach . 07:41.010 --> 07:43.066 All right , brothers and sisters . I 07:43.066 --> 07:45.066 invite you all to find uh what is , 07:45.066 --> 07:47.121 what posture is ever comfortable for 07:47.121 --> 07:49.250 you as we pray . And I invite you to 07:49.260 --> 07:51.427 pray in your faith as I pray in mine . 07:52.589 --> 07:54.756 And by the way that brother could sing 07:54.756 --> 07:56.978 that national anthem . Come on my man . 07:56.978 --> 08:00.559 Come on . All right , God lord , man , 08:00.570 --> 08:03.320 we thank you for the spirit and the 08:03.329 --> 08:05.980 awareness , the reality of leadership . 08:06.200 --> 08:09.000 We thank you for heritage . I found 08:09.010 --> 08:11.066 that in my journey , you are serious 08:11.066 --> 08:13.579 about heritage . The ones that we live 08:14.250 --> 08:16.869 and the ones that we leave . And as we 08:16.880 --> 08:19.799 look at transitions today , let us , 08:19.809 --> 08:22.119 let us pause , not just for another 08:22.130 --> 08:24.250 ceremony , but let there be a type of 08:24.260 --> 08:27.000 joy and honor and a pride that is in 08:27.010 --> 08:29.119 our heart for heritage that has been 08:29.130 --> 08:31.352 carried on hundreds of years . And here 08:31.352 --> 08:34.260 we are today in this season , let us 08:34.270 --> 08:37.500 soak it up . Let us work hard and 08:37.510 --> 08:40.479 diligently . Let us work . Well , let 08:40.489 --> 08:42.849 us honor and respect those that are , 08:42.859 --> 08:45.192 are with us and around us and important , 08:45.192 --> 08:47.369 most importantly , those that are to 08:47.380 --> 08:50.679 come in this season . My hope and my 08:50.690 --> 08:52.539 prayer is that leadership would 08:52.549 --> 08:54.760 continually be elevated in a way that 08:54.770 --> 08:56.603 has never been elevated before . 08:58.960 --> 09:00.849 There would be new remedies , the 09:00.849 --> 09:03.669 problems being solved , there would be 09:03.679 --> 09:07.119 new creativity in this place . There 09:07.130 --> 09:10.080 would be a spirit of unity and for and 09:10.090 --> 09:12.640 stick witness like never before that 09:12.650 --> 09:14.872 when they would look back at the end of 09:14.872 --> 09:16.872 their season , they would say we've 09:16.872 --> 09:18.928 done all that we could do . And it's 09:18.928 --> 09:20.928 much better since we've been here , 09:20.928 --> 09:24.530 anoint them to serve with an honor , a 09:24.539 --> 09:28.440 respect , a joy and a pride like never 09:28.450 --> 09:31.210 before we thank you for this day and 09:31.219 --> 09:33.090 for this moment . Amen . 09:43.429 --> 09:45.651 Thank you off at Air Force Base . Honor 09:45.659 --> 09:48.549 guard , Herman Lono and tech Sergeant 09:48.559 --> 09:50.670 Roach . Ladies and gentlemen , please 09:50.670 --> 09:50.570 be seated . 09:59.200 --> 10:01.367 It is an honor to introduce to you our 10:01.367 --> 10:03.367 presiding officer , Colonel Wendy J 10:03.367 --> 10:05.144 Squash commander , 1/70 group , 10:05.144 --> 10:08.150 Nebraska National Guard . Yeah , 10:12.809 --> 10:15.031 good morning and welcome . Bear with me 10:15.031 --> 10:17.031 up here . I didn't realize how hard 10:17.031 --> 10:19.253 this was gonna be to balance on 1 ft on 10:19.253 --> 10:21.590 this , uh stage . So , um , as Ron said , 10:21.599 --> 10:23.710 I'm Wendy Squash , a commander of the 10:23.710 --> 10:25.989 1/70 group today is an exciting day for 10:26.000 --> 10:28.219 all of us in the 1/70 . I'm very proud 10:28.229 --> 10:30.451 of where the organization is today . Um 10:30.451 --> 10:32.673 As this has been a long time coming for 10:32.673 --> 10:34.840 all of us , it's really awesome to see 10:34.840 --> 10:36.673 so many uh familiar faces in the 10:36.673 --> 10:39.729 audience today . Um To recognize this 10:39.739 --> 10:41.572 milestone for the 1/70 group and 10:41.572 --> 10:43.628 specifically the 238 combat training 10:43.628 --> 10:46.070 squadron , which after today will be 10:46.080 --> 10:48.136 the 2 38th reconnaissance squadron . 10:48.380 --> 10:50.658 Senator Ricketts , Congressman , Bacon , 10:50.658 --> 10:52.859 Senator Sanders , Mr Hubert and Miss 10:52.869 --> 10:55.091 Powers . It's an honor to have you here 10:55.091 --> 10:57.036 today to support and celebrate the 10:57.036 --> 10:59.419 redesignation of the 238 . Several of 10:59.429 --> 11:01.596 you were here for the 20th anniversary 11:01.596 --> 11:03.707 not too long ago . So to see you here 11:03.707 --> 11:05.818 again , today is truly a testament to 11:05.818 --> 11:07.651 your support of this total force 11:07.651 --> 11:09.207 partnership and the special 11:09.207 --> 11:11.429 relationship that we have here with the 11:11.429 --> 11:13.540 local community . I know that Senator 11:13.540 --> 11:15.596 Fisher was unable to be here today , 11:15.596 --> 11:17.707 but I'd like to offer a special thank 11:17.707 --> 11:19.873 you to her and her team for all of her 11:19.873 --> 11:21.762 support in helping to get the 238 11:21.762 --> 11:23.818 combat training squadron to where we 11:23.818 --> 11:26.040 are today . Three years ago , I had the 11:26.040 --> 11:28.262 privilege to brief Miss Hamner on a bus 11:28.262 --> 11:30.485 ride to Lincoln . I shared with her our 11:30.485 --> 11:32.540 concerns about legal sufficiency and 11:32.540 --> 11:34.596 the challenges that we were facing . 11:34.596 --> 11:36.818 The very next week , the phone rang and 11:36.818 --> 11:38.596 asking me , how can we help you 11:38.596 --> 11:40.818 continue to do what you're doing at off 11:40.818 --> 11:42.985 at Air Force Base ? Senator Fisher and 11:42.985 --> 11:45.040 her team helped us navigate specific 11:45.040 --> 11:46.985 language into the National Defense 11:46.985 --> 11:48.929 Authorization Act which authorized 11:48.929 --> 11:50.985 continued ftu duties by air National 11:50.985 --> 11:53.318 Guard personnel until 1 October of 2024 . 11:53.318 --> 11:55.419 So 17 days ago , this gave us the 11:55.429 --> 11:57.318 necessary transition time for our 11:57.318 --> 11:59.469 organization making sure we did not 11:59.479 --> 12:01.840 negatively impact the mission or our 12:01.849 --> 12:04.260 airmen . This was huge for us and a 12:04.270 --> 12:06.270 large part of why we are still here 12:06.270 --> 12:08.381 today . So Mr Hubert , please pass on 12:08.381 --> 12:10.603 that . Thanks to the Senator . I'd like 12:10.603 --> 12:12.714 to echo the welcome and the thank you 12:12.714 --> 12:14.826 to all of our distinguished guests in 12:14.826 --> 12:16.881 attendance today , Brigadier General 12:16.881 --> 12:18.826 Hargens and our state leadership , 12:18.826 --> 12:21.048 Colonel Gray and all of our total force 12:21.048 --> 12:23.700 partners . Alumni of the 1/70 our 12:23.710 --> 12:26.960 amazing families . It's the boot 12:27.419 --> 12:29.641 and the uh , men and women are the 1/70 12:29.641 --> 12:31.863 and the 55th wing who are here today to 12:31.863 --> 12:34.039 celebrate the 238 . I told Lowell that 12:34.049 --> 12:36.271 I wouldn't steal his thunder today . So 12:36.271 --> 12:38.493 I will keep my part short , but I wanna 12:38.493 --> 12:40.549 paint a quick picture for all of you 12:40.549 --> 12:42.605 here today on what this organization 12:42.605 --> 12:44.827 looks like the 1/70 group has changed a 12:44.827 --> 12:47.049 lot over the past three years , we have 12:47.049 --> 12:48.993 a lot to celebrate and a lot to be 12:48.993 --> 12:51.216 proud of as a team . We are in our last 12:51.216 --> 12:53.327 year of conversion with the growth of 12:53.327 --> 12:55.382 two new squadrons and mission sets . 12:55.382 --> 12:57.382 We've doubled , doubled our size in 12:57.382 --> 12:59.438 number of members have our own guard 12:59.438 --> 13:01.549 real estate and have worked our legal 13:01.549 --> 13:03.549 sufficiency issue to resolution and 13:03.549 --> 13:05.716 gained a combat code admission , which 13:05.716 --> 13:07.993 is what we are here to celebrate today . 13:07.993 --> 13:10.049 Legal sufficiency was something that 13:10.049 --> 13:12.105 was looming over our heads for quite 13:12.105 --> 13:14.271 some time years . My first week in the 13:14.271 --> 13:16.382 seat as the group commander , we were 13:16.382 --> 13:18.327 celebrating the results of a Total 13:18.327 --> 13:18.179 Force health assessment that was 13:18.190 --> 13:20.200 conducted by headquarters Air Force 13:20.210 --> 13:22.289 which labeled the 55th Wing and the 13:22.299 --> 13:24.466 1/70 group . The model for total force 13:24.469 --> 13:26.580 success , giving us the highest score 13:26.580 --> 13:28.469 to date and identifying five best 13:28.469 --> 13:31.090 practices immediately following that 13:31.099 --> 13:33.450 celebration . Another phone call came , 13:33.510 --> 13:35.950 which might have included some lawyers 13:35.979 --> 13:38.146 letting me know that we were now going 13:38.146 --> 13:40.201 to be a part of a roundtable process 13:40.201 --> 13:42.368 where the director of the Air National 13:42.368 --> 13:44.479 Guard and the Commander of Air Combat 13:44.479 --> 13:46.590 Command would help us make a decision 13:46.590 --> 13:48.590 on what we would look like . Moving 13:48.590 --> 13:50.701 forward . The legal sufficiency issue 13:50.701 --> 13:52.646 came to a head at this point which 13:52.646 --> 13:54.646 caused some concern for all of us , 13:54.646 --> 13:54.070 especially for the men and women 13:54.080 --> 13:57.489 wearing the 238 patch to simplify it . 13:57.700 --> 13:59.849 The 1/70 group predating some of the 13:59.859 --> 14:01.915 requirements that were placed on air 14:01.915 --> 14:04.026 National Guard Organizations . So the 14:04.026 --> 14:06.192 very thing that we were designed to do 14:06.192 --> 14:07.970 was what caused us to be in the 14:07.970 --> 14:09.970 situation that we were in regarding 14:09.970 --> 14:11.915 legal sufficiency and our training 14:11.915 --> 14:13.970 program . So we had our work cut out 14:13.970 --> 14:16.137 for us every week for over two years . 14:16.137 --> 14:18.359 Sometimes twice a week , we jumped onto 14:18.359 --> 14:20.470 a tiger team call with members of Air 14:20.470 --> 14:22.359 Combat Command and National Guard 14:22.359 --> 14:24.450 Bureau or N GB to work toward a 14:24.460 --> 14:26.293 resolution that will continue to 14:26.293 --> 14:28.349 support the mission of the 55th wing 14:28.349 --> 14:31.820 and the 1/70 group we educated AC C met 14:31.830 --> 14:34.052 with N GB more times than I can count . 14:34.052 --> 14:35.820 And in December of 2022 the 14:35.830 --> 14:38.239 organization change request was signed 14:38.250 --> 14:40.306 by Major General Darryl Bohack , the 14:40.306 --> 14:42.528 Adjutant General at the time and one of 14:42.528 --> 14:44.472 the biggest champions for the 1/70 14:44.472 --> 14:46.694 group . Once approved by N GB , the OCR 14:46.694 --> 14:48.750 would allow us to change the name of 14:48.750 --> 14:50.861 the organization to the 238 recon and 14:50.861 --> 14:52.528 squadron as well as enable an 14:52.528 --> 14:54.472 association plan to be drafted and 14:54.472 --> 14:56.083 approved to meet total force 14:56.083 --> 14:58.083 requirements . We would also have a 14:58.083 --> 15:00.239 dual dock statement to support RC 135 15:00.250 --> 15:02.417 deployments and continue to contribute 15:02.417 --> 15:04.639 to the total force . Formal training of 15:04.639 --> 15:07.469 RC 135 air crew . I could take you down 15:07.479 --> 15:09.646 memory lane all day but I won't , I'll 15:09.646 --> 15:11.812 stop at this point to say a few more . 15:11.812 --> 15:13.757 Thank yous to Mr Richard RD bell , 15:13.757 --> 15:15.812 Lieutenant Colonel Kel Kelsey Bryant 15:15.960 --> 15:19.190 and Major Justice Laz Westfall . Laz 15:19.200 --> 15:21.089 was able to make it here today to 15:21.089 --> 15:23.144 celebrate with us over the course of 15:23.144 --> 15:25.033 the last three plus years . These 15:25.033 --> 15:27.256 gentlemen have been super in helping us 15:27.256 --> 15:29.478 educate others jump over roadblocks and 15:29.478 --> 15:31.478 are the biggest reason we are still 15:31.478 --> 15:33.589 here today . Laz . I cannot thank you 15:33.589 --> 15:35.644 enough for all that you have done to 15:35.644 --> 15:37.867 support us , support the organization , 15:37.867 --> 15:39.978 all of your hard work . I am thrilled 15:39.978 --> 15:39.804 that you could be here today to 15:39.815 --> 15:42.075 celebrate this weekend with us and see 15:42.085 --> 15:44.029 the end result of your hard work . 15:44.029 --> 15:46.252 Thank you . My last thank you . While I 15:46.252 --> 15:48.469 have the microphone is to Lieutenant 15:48.479 --> 15:50.646 Colonel Low Wallace and the members of 15:50.646 --> 15:52.757 the 238 combat training squadron . We 15:52.757 --> 15:54.868 jumped into this together in April of 15:54.868 --> 15:57.090 21 . I asked you to stay patient , stay 15:57.090 --> 15:59.146 positive , push questions , concerns 15:59.146 --> 16:01.146 and rumors up the chain and that we 16:01.146 --> 16:03.312 would get through this together and we 16:03.312 --> 16:05.090 did , things will look a little 16:05.090 --> 16:07.090 different after today . But the one 16:07.090 --> 16:09.312 thing that remains constant are the men 16:09.312 --> 16:08.739 and women that are part of this 16:08.750 --> 16:10.806 incredible organization . I've never 16:10.806 --> 16:13.028 been more proud to be part of a team as 16:13.028 --> 16:15.309 I am here in the 1/70 group low . You 16:15.320 --> 16:17.542 and your team have a lot to be proud of 16:17.542 --> 16:19.542 today . You've been a powerhouse in 16:19.542 --> 16:21.764 getting this to resolution . And now we 16:21.764 --> 16:23.709 will add one more milestone to our 16:23.709 --> 16:25.419 legacy here today . Thanks , 16:32.969 --> 16:33.969 I got it . 16:38.969 --> 16:41.070 Sorry . It's my job . Thank you , 16:41.080 --> 16:43.302 Colonel Squash . Ladies and gentlemen , 16:43.302 --> 16:45.247 please stand for the redesignation 16:45.247 --> 16:47.358 order and the assumption of command . 16:53.250 --> 16:56.030 Publish the order . Attention to order . 16:56.510 --> 16:58.621 State of Nebraska Military Department 16:58.690 --> 17:00.801 Office of the Educate General Special 17:00.801 --> 17:04.339 Order GS 02 30 May 2024 effective 17:04.349 --> 17:08.270 27 September 2024 . The 238 combat 17:08.280 --> 17:10.689 training squadron is redesignated as 17:10.699 --> 17:13.280 the 2 38th reconnaissance squadron at 17:13.300 --> 17:15.430 off Air Force base , Nebraska and is 17:15.439 --> 17:17.930 assigned to the 1/70 group . Nebraska 17:17.949 --> 17:19.880 National Guard with no change in 17:19.890 --> 17:22.879 gaining command authority . Air Force 17:22.889 --> 17:25.639 instruction . 38 101 National Guard 17:25.649 --> 17:27.759 Bureau A one M organizational action 17:27.769 --> 17:30.129 letter 2410 and Department of the Air 17:30.139 --> 17:33.639 Force A one MMO 193 uniform dated 17:33.649 --> 17:37.489 17 May 2024 redesignation of the 17:37.499 --> 17:40.188 238 combat training squadron for the 17:40.198 --> 17:42.828 edge in general Spencer D Hanson . 17:42.838 --> 17:44.838 Colonel Nebraska Air National Guard 17:44.838 --> 17:47.198 Director of Staff Air Joint Force 17:47.208 --> 17:48.597 headquarters in Nebraska 19:02.939 --> 19:04.161 Man , IIS committee . 19:15.359 --> 19:15.819 So 19:20.910 --> 19:23.132 ladies and gentlemen , please be seated 19:23.132 --> 19:25.449 as the 238 will be called to exchange 19:25.459 --> 19:26.329 their patches 19:39.349 --> 19:42.699 squad road . Thanks ma 20:04.439 --> 20:06.550 I now present to you the commander of 20:06.550 --> 20:08.439 the 238 reconnaissance squadron . 20:08.439 --> 20:12.369 Lieutenant Colonel Lowell Wallace , I 20:12.459 --> 20:13.459 got it . 20:18.469 --> 20:20.191 Uh Good morning everybody . Uh 20:20.191 --> 20:22.247 Lieutenant Colonel Low Wallace . Now 20:22.247 --> 20:24.080 the 238 for constant squadron uh 20:24.080 --> 20:26.136 commander . I just want to say thank 20:26.136 --> 20:28.136 you to everybody who's with us here 20:28.136 --> 20:27.709 today . This is truly a momentous 20:27.719 --> 20:29.910 occasion for us . Um I can't thank you 20:29.920 --> 20:32.142 all enough for being here . Um I , I am 20:32.142 --> 20:34.198 going to thank a lot of people right 20:34.198 --> 20:35.976 now and I apologize but uh it's 20:35.976 --> 20:38.031 important for us to thank all of you 20:38.031 --> 20:40.087 for being here . Uh It's an honor to 20:40.087 --> 20:39.660 stand before you today for this 20:39.670 --> 20:42.520 occasion . Uh The redesignation , it 20:42.530 --> 20:44.641 marks not only a change in name but a 20:44.641 --> 20:47.079 significant milestone in the 1 71 78 20:47.089 --> 20:49.200 group's history . As we gain a combat 20:49.200 --> 20:50.978 code , a mission to our elected 20:50.978 --> 20:52.756 officials present and those who 20:52.756 --> 20:54.867 couldn't be here today . We thank you 20:54.867 --> 20:57.089 for your service to the nation , to the 20:57.089 --> 20:59.033 state and to the of community . We 20:59.033 --> 20:58.829 deeply appreciate all you've done to 20:58.839 --> 21:00.829 enable our success as the Nebraska 21:00.839 --> 21:03.069 International Guard to General Hargens 21:03.079 --> 21:05.246 and the rest of our state leadership . 21:05.246 --> 21:07.357 Thank you for making the trip from JF 21:07.357 --> 21:09.523 HQ today . It's an honor and privilege 21:09.523 --> 21:08.560 to have you here and we very much 21:08.569 --> 21:10.680 appreciate you being here with us for 21:10.680 --> 21:13.489 these type of events . Thank you to 21:13.500 --> 21:15.500 Colonel Howard and Colonel Gray for 21:15.500 --> 21:17.167 your commitment to our highly 21:17.167 --> 21:19.389 successful total force partnership . We 21:19.389 --> 21:18.930 look forward to continuing our shared 21:18.939 --> 21:21.449 success . Moving forward , colonels , 21:21.459 --> 21:23.403 group commanders , fellow squadron 21:23.403 --> 21:25.626 commanders , chiefs , first sergeants , 21:25.626 --> 21:27.848 distinguished guests , men and women of 21:27.848 --> 21:29.959 Team Offett and the Nebraska National 21:29.959 --> 21:32.015 Guard . Thank you all for being here 21:32.015 --> 21:31.569 for sharing this special occasion with 21:31.579 --> 21:33.719 us today . I'd also like to thank the 21:33.729 --> 21:35.785 dedicated team who set up this great 21:35.785 --> 21:37.785 ceremony . Uh All of your hard work 21:37.785 --> 21:40.130 behind the scenes does not go unnoticed . 21:40.140 --> 21:42.251 Lieutenant Colonel Ron Blakenship was 21:42.251 --> 21:44.473 one of the smoothest voice in narration 21:44.473 --> 21:46.473 history . Lieutenant Colonel Justin 21:46.473 --> 21:48.696 Cadwell . Lieutenant Colonel James Luck 21:48.696 --> 21:50.640 is Lieutenant Colonel Brian Ross , 21:50.640 --> 21:52.862 Major Chase Webster Kevin Chad Carter , 21:52.862 --> 21:54.807 uh sergeant , uh Angel Kronus , uh 21:54.807 --> 21:57.084 sergeant Eric Streeter . Tech Sergeant , 21:57.084 --> 21:59.196 Anthony Lindsay , the entire greeting 21:59.196 --> 22:01.251 team . Thank you for what you do and 22:01.251 --> 22:03.473 the two best flag men in the business . 22:03.473 --> 22:02.900 Me , Sergeant Evan Frederick , you can 22:02.910 --> 22:04.966 see up here and me , Sergeant Darren 22:04.966 --> 22:07.900 Davlin who helped us with the fling . I 22:07.910 --> 22:10.021 very much appreciate everybody's time 22:10.021 --> 22:12.188 and effort . Additionally . Uh Sorry , 22:12.188 --> 22:14.021 additionally , thank you to Tech 22:14.021 --> 22:16.188 Sergeant Roach , the honor guard and a 22:16.188 --> 22:18.299 one C the Reno for making this such a 22:18.299 --> 22:20.790 great day as we celebrate today . We 22:20.800 --> 22:22.967 need to reflect on the legacy of those 22:22.967 --> 22:25.022 who have flown before us , those who 22:25.022 --> 22:27.133 have forged the squadron into what it 22:27.133 --> 22:29.133 is today . It is a legacy in formal 22:29.133 --> 22:31.356 training along the three thir alongside 22:31.356 --> 22:33.356 the 3 38th combat training squadron 22:33.356 --> 22:32.920 byte . Thanks for being here . Thanks 22:32.930 --> 22:35.152 for everybody to be here . I appreciate 22:35.152 --> 22:37.729 it . It's a legacy that speaks to the 22:37.739 --> 22:39.850 importance of retention of experience 22:39.850 --> 22:41.850 and total force partnership . Since 22:41.850 --> 22:44.339 2007 , our squadron of 35 expert 22:44.349 --> 22:46.293 international Guard operators have 22:46.293 --> 22:48.516 worked side by side with the top guests 22:48.516 --> 22:50.682 of the 338 to graduate . Over 400 RC , 22:50.682 --> 22:54.229 135 students yearly for 17 years , 22:54.239 --> 22:56.680 238 flyers have averaged over 1000 22:56.689 --> 22:59.359 total events yearly including 500 22:59.369 --> 23:02.099 sorties and just under 3000 flying 23:02.109 --> 23:05.319 hours per year . An effort like that 23:05.329 --> 23:07.551 does not go unnoticed and made possible 23:07.551 --> 23:10.089 by your ability and our ability to 23:10.099 --> 23:12.270 retain aviators like you with an 23:12.280 --> 23:14.079 average of 3000 hours of flying 23:14.089 --> 23:17.010 experience per member . It's also a 23:17.020 --> 23:19.020 legacy of Cooper operation with the 23:19.020 --> 23:21.131 55th Wing across a multitude of other 23:21.131 --> 23:23.187 mission sets . Everywhere you look , 23:23.187 --> 23:25.187 the 2 38th and the 1 78th group are 23:25.187 --> 23:27.353 there , whether it's training air crew 23:27.353 --> 23:29.576 on new flight deck , avionics suites or 23:29.576 --> 23:31.576 coordinating international programs 23:31.576 --> 23:33.742 with the Royal Air Force partners , we 23:33.742 --> 23:36.000 are there whether it's developing the 23:36.010 --> 23:38.177 55th Wings , new mission qualification 23:38.177 --> 23:40.550 training program or just talking flying 23:40.560 --> 23:43.709 with motivated younger aviators . We 23:43.719 --> 23:46.619 are there , we do this while flying day 23:46.630 --> 23:48.780 in day out because we love what we do 23:49.160 --> 23:51.160 and we are privileged to be part of 23:51.160 --> 23:53.493 such an amazing total force partnership . 23:53.839 --> 23:55.895 The commitment and dedication of our 23:55.895 --> 23:58.006 predecessors inspire us as we take on 23:58.006 --> 23:59.950 this new chapter . Their con their 23:59.950 --> 24:02.199 contribution is undeniable . Their 24:02.209 --> 24:04.699 achievements , sacrifices and 24:04.709 --> 24:06.890 unwavering spirit are the bedrock upon 24:06.900 --> 24:10.030 which we will build our future . We are 24:10.040 --> 24:11.762 excited for the future because 24:11.762 --> 24:13.873 redesignation is more than just a new 24:13.873 --> 24:16.260 patch on our uniforms and I hope 24:16.270 --> 24:18.381 everybody enjoys the new patches . Uh 24:18.381 --> 24:20.603 Ladies and gentlemen , we'll get you uh 24:20.603 --> 24:22.770 some of the good ones in the mail . We 24:22.770 --> 24:22.709 apologize . The order took a little 24:22.719 --> 24:25.609 longer than we thought . Four months , 24:25.619 --> 24:27.952 we thought it would work . We'd be fine . 24:27.952 --> 24:29.841 Uh It represents our readiness to 24:29.841 --> 24:32.008 embrace new challenges and to adapt to 24:32.008 --> 24:33.841 the evolving landscape of modern 24:33.841 --> 24:35.952 competition and conflict . We will do 24:35.952 --> 24:38.119 that by adding a combat code admission 24:38.119 --> 24:40.230 to our portfolio . We will stand with 24:40.230 --> 24:42.175 the 55th Wing as Strategic Reserve 24:42.175 --> 24:43.897 partners of Air National Guard 24:43.897 --> 24:45.841 professionals ready to face future 24:45.841 --> 24:48.063 challenges in any environment . We will 24:48.063 --> 24:50.286 also continue sport training operations 24:50.286 --> 24:52.397 here at home . We will do it with the 24:52.397 --> 24:52.390 same dedication and expertise we have 24:52.400 --> 24:55.050 displayed since our inception as we 24:55.060 --> 24:57.004 embark on this journey was we must 24:57.004 --> 24:59.116 remember that our mission remains the 24:59.116 --> 25:01.227 same to protect and defend our nation 25:01.227 --> 25:04.170 with strength , honor , integrity and 25:04.180 --> 25:07.030 excellence to Colonel Squash . Thank 25:07.040 --> 25:09.096 you , ma'am for your continued faith 25:09.096 --> 25:11.429 and trust in me to assume this position . 25:11.429 --> 25:13.096 Thank you for allowing me the 25:13.096 --> 25:15.207 opportunity to see this redesignation 25:15.207 --> 25:17.318 through and to set the course for the 25:17.318 --> 25:19.373 238 future success . Your leadership 25:19.373 --> 25:21.596 and mentorship has been critical to the 25:21.596 --> 25:23.818 success of the 238 and the 178 group as 25:23.818 --> 25:25.984 a whole . I don't think people . Thank 25:25.984 --> 25:27.707 you enough and I know it seems 25:27.707 --> 25:30.540 redundant , but thank you to all the 25:30.550 --> 25:33.020 men and women . The 238 . Thank you . 25:33.969 --> 25:36.136 Thank you for your dedication and your 25:36.136 --> 25:38.358 continued service . It's an honor and a 25:38.358 --> 25:40.580 privilege to help you continue the very 25:40.580 --> 25:42.747 important work that this fly fantastic 25:42.747 --> 25:44.969 flying squadron is gonna take on in the 25:44.969 --> 25:46.913 future . I want you to know that I 25:46.913 --> 25:46.479 remain committed to being your biggest 25:46.489 --> 25:48.680 advocate and making sure you have what 25:48.689 --> 25:51.430 you need to succeed . Your , your 25:51.439 --> 25:53.359 amazing efforts are seen and 25:53.369 --> 25:56.949 appreciated . Keep it up to our 25:56.959 --> 25:59.349 families and friends , especially my 3d 25:59.359 --> 26:01.599 vs in the front row . Thank you for 26:01.609 --> 26:03.720 your unwavering support . You are our 26:03.729 --> 26:05.840 backbone , providing the strength and 26:05.840 --> 26:08.062 encouragement that allows us to do this 26:08.062 --> 26:09.840 job that we love so much . Your 26:09.840 --> 26:12.010 sacrifices do not go unnoticed and we 26:12.020 --> 26:14.242 are so very grateful for everything you 26:14.242 --> 26:16.910 do for us . In closing , let us move 26:16.920 --> 26:19.087 forward with pride , determination and 26:19.087 --> 26:21.309 unity of effort , continuing our legacy 26:21.309 --> 26:23.531 of success and knowing that we are part 26:23.531 --> 26:25.753 of something greater than ourselves . A 26:25.753 --> 26:27.864 commitment to our country , the great 26:27.864 --> 26:30.380 state of Nebraska , our mission and 26:30.390 --> 26:32.530 each other . I wanna deeply thank you 26:32.540 --> 26:34.596 all for being here today with us and 26:34.596 --> 26:36.651 sharing this special day . God bless 26:36.651 --> 26:38.762 you . Send you safe home , go guard . 26:43.609 --> 26:44.665 Yeah . Thank you . 26:47.619 --> 26:49.841 It was pretty good , pretty good . That 26:49.841 --> 26:51.730 was pretty good . Um Thanks to uh 26:51.730 --> 26:53.952 Lieutenant Colonel Wallace , ladies and 26:53.952 --> 26:55.786 gentlemen , please stand for the 26:55.786 --> 26:57.897 playing of the Air Force song and the 26:57.897 --> 26:57.609 departure of the official party .