feature

Colonel Wright better leader because of unit

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
On July 11, Col. Cynthia Wright will turn the reins of  the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Install-ation Group over to Lt. Col. Eric DeLange. Shortly thereafter, she'll travel to Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where she said the lessons she learned here will guide her.

"Serving in the cyberspace engineering installation group has given me a deeper understanding of the technical complexities of sustaining large-scale computer networks. We're working to simplify, standardize and better secure those networks manageably, one base at a time," said Colonel Wright.

When Colonel Wright arrived in July 2011, she had only one previous assignment at Tinker, on the other side of the main campus in the 3rd Combat Communications Group. Learning the 38th CEIG's global engineering mission, and experiencing the unique aspects of commanding a largely civilian organization challenged her, but also made her a better leader.

The group has five squadrons, three of those at Tinker, comprising more than 600 military, civilian and contractor personnel. Together, they provide cyberspace network design, system integration and security and optimization engineering services to the Air Force and joint installations.

"We have tremendous depth and experience in the 38th CEIG and I learned a great deal about the physical, engineering-level aspects of Air Force networks," she said. "You can do almost anything with that much intellectual and technical talent."

She said in her tenure she is most proud of the launch of an Air Force-wide network standardization using the unit's resources. She is also proud of the 38th CEIG's role in integrating commercial mobile technologies into daily mission operations across the Air Force.

Brian Carrethers, Telecommunications Information Technology program manager for the 38th CEIG Engineering Squadron's Engineering Sustainment Plans Section, said he will miss Colonel Wright's go-getter attitude and spirit.

"I love the fact that Colonel Wright is first about her Airmen and keeping us mission-oriented," he said. "She has been so influential for the 38th CEIG and what we provide for our Air Force. Change is in the future of the Air Force and with change comes new opportunities so she strives for us to change for the better and adapt to these changes as they happen.

"Colonel Wright has contributed a 'true' communications culture to the 38th CEIG," Mr. Carrethers said. "The heart and future of cyber warfare of the Air Force Space Command has been instilled in us as program managers, engineers and supervisors. She expects us to continue protecting our cyber world with all of our many distinguished backgrounds and capabilities."

The change of command will be held at 9 a.m. July 11 at the 38th CEIG compound in front of the headquarters building.