New 552nd ACW/CC to observe before acting Published Aug. 13, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. John Rauch said he doesn't have an "elaborate over-arching goal or master plan." But, what the new 552nd Air Control Wing commander does have is a desire to maintain the integrity, history and legacy of excellence in America's Wing. Colonel Rauch arrived in Oklahoma City in early July from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., where he served as the 55th Wing vice commander. Though he has had limited experience with the air control wing mission, Colonel Rauch is well versed in Air Combat Command. And, having served as a vice commander for a reconnaissance and electronic combat unit, he said he understands the demands of the 552nd ACW. "I want to take care of people, focus them on the mission and get it done safely," said Colonel Rauch. "I think it's really important to start by taking care of the Airmen and making sure they understand how they fit in the wing and how that fits in with the larger activities across the Air Force." Colonel Rauch entered the Air Force in 1989, having been commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Program at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Initially, he explored the Air Force as a way to pay for college. But, as he got involved in the program and discovered its offerings, the colonel said he liked the opportunities -- learn, travel, contribute, and serve in the military. It wasn't until Colonel Rauch was asked by his first operational squadron commander that he decided his career goals. He wanted to be a squadron commander. The master navigator, who has more than 3,000 flying hours in the RC-135U/V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft and T-43 Gator, reached that feat six years ago. He served as the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron commander deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom from May to September 2004. He also served as commander of the 338th Combat Training Squadron at Offutt AFB from December 2004 to October 2006. These days, the colonel said the opportunity to serve others by leading is his passion. At the air control wing, he has the opportunity to do just that. Colonel Rauch was first introduced to ACC and its mission in 1992 when the command was put into practice. Stationed at Offutt AFB at the time, the colonel was a RC-135 instructor, evaluator/navigator and operations group executive officer. He said he has spent more than half of his career in ACC. Between his ACC experience and his most recent assignment as a vice commander, the colonel understands the demands on large organizations, which support constant operations and a high frequency of deployments. As he gets settled, Colonel Rauch said he will get to know the Airmen of the wing, learn their processes, and with his team, develop ways to improve the systems. Additionally, he is excited about the challenges that lay ahead. "I want to find out the way they do things here, not just lay something else on them," he said. "Me, and my family are excited to here and happy to serve with the 552nd, America's Wing." Col. Scott Forest, 552nd ACW vice commander, said he is confident Colonel Rauch will succeed in bettering the wing. "As one of the Combat Air Force's most respected command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or C2ISR, senior leaders, Colonel Rauch will add a unique and fresh perspective to the great combat heritage and can-do spirit of America's Wing," Colonel Forest said. "I knew Colonel Rauch prior to his taking command and he has always been quick-to-learn, perceptive, open, and easy to get along with. He really 'walks what he talks.'"