TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation group held their change of command ceremony recently bidding farewell to outgoing Commander Col. Todd Schug and welcoming their new Commander Col. James Trachier.
Commander of the 688th Cyberspace Wing Col. Eric DeLange from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland oversaw the change of command and addressed their families during his remarks.
“Before these fine leaders came into the Air Force they were with you all, and so you are the bedrock that instilled the value and the character they brought into our Air Force, that continued to get shaped thereafter so I just want to say thank you,” DeLange said. “We do stand on common ground when it comes to the Air Force and this mighty 38th Cyberspace Engineering Group. It’s indeed an honor to stand on common ground as Col. Todd Shug, who prepares to pass the mantle of leadership on to Col. Trachier.”
The unit flag was passed onto Trachier, who comes to Tinker from the position of military deputy, Services Directorate, Defense Information Systems Agency at Fort Meade. Trachier is a career communications/cyberspace operations officer and graduated squadron commander who has served at the agency, Joint Task Force and Combatant Headquarters level. He has also worked with the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“I’m incredibly honored to stand before you today. Col. DeLange, thank you for the honor and confidence and trust you show in extending the opportunity to command this amazing group. I promise to reward that trust on a daily basis. To the men and women of the 38th CEIG, thank you for your selfless devotion to our important mission. Each of you has answered the call to serve this great nation of ours in the world’s greatest Air Force,” Trachier said. “The demands and the challenges that we have ahead of us are daunting, but I know that you will rise to the task as you stand ready to move onward with our core values in innovation and unflinching courage, I’m excited and humbled to be your new commander. God bless, Godspeed, let’s get to work.”
Schug will be leaving the 38th CEIG as commander after two years, and will also be retiring from the Air Force after 31 years of service.
“You and the 38th have thrived during your two years in command,” DeLange said.
Some of Schug’s accomplishments during his tenure include coordinating with guard forces to align a necessary workforce to support the design and network installation that helped complete the $1.3 billion U.S. Strategic Command Headquarters in Nebraska, saving approximately $300 million in the process. He and his team of military and civilian employees also supported United States Central Command and Special Forces with down range networking and C2 capabilities that supported thousands of missions resulting in thousands of enemy forces either killed or captured.The United Professionals under his watch were crucial to restoring command and control, and humanitarian coordination capabilities to Puerto Rico and the Florida Panhandle after hurricanes Michael and Maria.
“38th is family,” Schug said. “All the great things that happened while I sat here, that’s all about what the squadron commanders, leaders and Airmen have done. There’s no question that this crew has a global impact across the United States Air Force. It’s tough to walk away from this level of awesomeness.”