614th ACOMS Changes Command

  • Published
  • By Maj. Stacie N. Shafran
  • Director, 14th Air Force Public Affairs
 Lt. Col. Timothy Ryan assumed command of the 614th Air and Space Communications Squadron from Lt. Col. Robert Thompson during a change-of-command ceremony at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., July 9, 2013.

Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space (JFCC SPACE) and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), presided over the ceremony.

"You have set the bar high for all future commanders to follow. You were personally committed to advancing your unit's mission while ensuring each Airman grew as a professional," said Helms, during her remarks about Thompson.

The general credited Thompson's strong and innovative leadership for revamping an outdated information technology support contract, ultimately saving the Air Force over $2 million dollars a year. She also praised Thompson for his efforts during the January 2013 Headquarters Air Force Space Command Compliance Inspection. The squadron, which prepared 46 programs and 3,000 items for inspection, earned an Information Assurance Professional Team award and contributed to 14th Air Force's "Excellent" inspection rating.

During his farewell speech, Thompson thanked his squadron for the hard work each member provided over the past two years.

"It humbles me to be here today and to thank each of you for your leadership and support," he said. "I could not be more proud of the 614th ACOMS."

Within moments of becoming the new 614th ACOMS commander, Ryan addressed his squadron.

"To the 614th ACOMS, my wife Carmen and I look forward to being members of this squadron and being part of your family," he said.

During her remarks, Helms welcomed Ryan and his family to the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers team.

"Tim, I and the rest of your chain of command have great confidence that the stellar successes of the 614th Air and Space Communications Squadron will continue to thrive under your keen intellect and dedicated mission focus," she said. "I cannot think of a better person to lead this great team of professionals in securing our nation's access to both the space and cyberspace domains."

Ryan previously served as the chief, systems and services division, Directorate of Communications, Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. In this role he was responsible for the deployment and operation of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems supporting HQ JSOC and assigned forces worldwide.

Born in Lamar, Mo., Ryan enlisted in the Air Force in 1984. After various assignments in the security forces career field, Ryan received his commission through Officer Training School in January 1994. He has been assigned to numerous cyber operations positions around the world.

The 614th ACOMS is responsible for sustaining, integrating and protecting the cyber infrastructure for JFCC SPACE's Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC), also located at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The unit also provides satellite system expertise, communications planning and endurance operations for the nation's protected Military Satellite Communications constellation.

"To the men and women of the 614th ACOMS, your critical support of the JSpOC allows the delivery of timely and accurate space effects to user's around the globe" said Helms. "Whether it is dropping bombs on insurgents in Afghanistan or supporting fire rescue efforts in Colorado, the space effects you enable play a major role in the defense of our nation."