38th CEIG stands up three new Tinker squadrons

Published Jan. 19, 2012
38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- During an unusual ceremony on Jan. 6 at the Tinker Club here, Col. Cynthia A. Wright, commander of the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, stood up three new squadrons, appointed civilian directors for all, and immediately transferred authority of one to a new leader. While the mechanics were unusual, the end result -- three new operational squadrons in the Air Force's cyberspace domain -- reflects the group's expanding role in cyberspace operations and the growing importance of cyberspace to traditional warfighter operations.

Michael Osby, 38th CEIG Network Systems Division, read the official pronouncement, which stated, "[In accordance with] Special Order GD-002: The 38th Contracting Squadron, the 38th Engineering Squadron, and the 38th Operations Support Squadron are activated at Tinker Air Force Base Oklahoma, effective 6 January 2012, and assigned to the Cyberspace Engineering and Installation Group."

With the solemn words, "I assume leadership," Ellen C. Asbill, Carroll E. Dobbs, and Toni M. Tirone accepted positions as directors of the 38th CONS, 38th ES and the 38th OSS, respectively.

The 38th CONS, led by Ms. Asbill, is responsible for providing contractual coverage, telecommunication systems and maintenance contracts, and engineering and installations services contracts.

Ms. Asbill said the 24th Air Force cyberspace operations mission is the biggest challenge she faces -- a change from her unit's historical focus on base telecommunications infrastructure -- yet her squadron "looks forward to supporting the group, the wing and 24th Air Force."

"It is always an honor to be selected to be in charge of an organization ... especially to be the first," said Mr. Dobbs upon becoming director of the 38th ES. Though he's had experience guiding a unit in its first steps before, he said, "I look forward to proving to be an organization that can do the job."

Colonel Wright described the 38th ES' unique concentration of engineers as the group that will change the path of the Air Force as it embraces cyberspace operations, enabling seamless transitions to an infrastructure that allows the Air Force to leverage emerging commercial technologies in support of national defense needs.

The 38th OSS manages the human and financial resources used to provide cyberspace engineering and implementation capabilities across the Air Force, and operates the global cyberspace infrastructure planning system.

Interestingly, within an hour of assuming leadership of the OSS, Ms. Tirone relinquished authority to Pamela S. Moulin. Colonel Wright explained this unusual move as a way of recognizing Ms. Tirone's pivotal role in the development of the squadron by naming her its first director, even as she transitions into retirement.

Ms. Tirone said that she was "honored to hand off leadership to a very talented leader in her own right," Pamela Moulin. She also reminded the audience that throughout many name changes, missions remain constant.

In addition to remarks of appreciation of all those working at the 38th CEIG, Ms. Moulin humbly expressed that Ms. Tirone is a "tough act to follow."

Encouraging others to embrace the Air Force motto, Ms. Moulin declared "The 38th CEIG is the greatest place to work in the U.S. Air Force."

Ms. Tirone also highlighted the "fresh, authentic, out of the box leadership style" of Colonel Wright, who proclaimed, "There is no cooler thing to be doing than cyberspace .... It is the linchpin of everything the Air Force does today, and key to our national defense."

With the activation of the 38th CONS, ES and OSS, the 38th CEIG stands prepared to support the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense in the ever-expanding cyber-missions to come.