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‘America’s Wing’ welcomes Col. Rauch as new commander

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  America's Wing did not disappoint. Despite an intense heat wave July 15, hundreds of Airmen, Air Force, state and civic officials welcomed new 552nd Air Control Wing Commander Col. John Rauch at his change-of-command ceremony.

Lt. Gen. Glenn F. Spears, 12th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony, in which Colonel Rauch said he looked forward to facing the challenges that lay ahead. His predecessor, Col. Pat Hoffman, thanked the wing's Airmen for their dedication and hard work.

"I'm confident that if we focus on the Airmen and let them take care of the job safely, we will prevail," said Colonel Rauch. "It's definitely my honor to serve with you, America's greatest wing."

Arriving from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Colonel Rauch most recently served as vice commander of the 55th Wing. Colonel Rauch, a master navigator has more than 3,000 flying hours in the RC-135U/V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft and T-43 Bobcat. He entered the Air Force in 1989, having been commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

"As the vice commander of the 55th Wing, John had his finger on the pulse. John, you and Diane are the right team to carry out the business and great successes of the 552nd and take it to its next level of excellence," said General Spears. "The 552nd Air Control Wing operates some of the most sophisticated, powerful weapons systems on the planet ... and John follows in line with many great leaders."

Colonel Hoffman arrived at Tinker in 2008 for what would be her third assignment within the air control wing. During her tenure, she was praised for her strong leadership and the many accolades the wing received.

Quoting Gen. Omar Bradley, former general of the Army, General Spears said, "'Leadership is intangible, and therefore no weapon, or weapons system, ever designed can replace it.' Even with the finest weapons in the world, we can't forget the quality of the leadership that's crucial at every level of every organization.

"We are fortunate to have had the strong leadership of Col. Pat Hoffman who has led this wing very well," General Spears said. "Thank you Pat for the outstanding leadership you brought to this wing."

During Colonel Hoffman's tenure, the air control wing has flown countless operations, earned more than 20 Air Force, Air Combat Command, 8th Air Force and Team Tinker awards. Colonel Hoffman left Tinker to become the foreign policy advisor to the commander of United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
"It's been an honor serving with you these past two years as your wing commander," she said. "The things you've accomplished are amazing; you set the pace across the tactical C2 world and everyone else just tries to keep up. "