TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 72nd Air Base Wing held a change of command ceremony here June 6, 2025.
Col. Abby Ruscetta relinquished command to Col. Fencisco Harris in a ceremony presided by Lt. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins, Air Force Sustainment Center commander.
“If you're young out there and you really want to see what right looks like, if you really want to see an exemplar of how to actually achieve ‘work-life balance’, Abby Ruscetta has done it better than anybody I've ever seen. So, thank you, Abby, for being that role model for us all.” said Hawkins.
He added, “While Abby leaves large shoes to fill, I'm proud to affirm that our Air Force, does have a person who will try to fill them. When one great commander moves on, the Air Force is faithful to provide the next. Team Tinker is fortunate to have Colonel Cisco Harris lead the 72nd Air Base Wing to even greater heights.”
Hawkins also praised Harris’ accomplishments, mentioning his experience with joint logistics in addition to maintenance and sustainment.
“He has the unique ability to understand being on both sides of the figurative wrench,” said Hawkins.
Harris previously was commander of the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. With a workforce of approximately 1,900 personnel, $1.5 billion in facilities and equipment, he directed the repair of engines and major engine assemblies for B-1, B-2, B-52, C-17, E-3, E-6, F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35 and KC-RC/135 aircraft.
“To the men and women of the 72nd Air Base Wing—you are the driving force behind enabling Team Tinker’s global deterrence mission,” Harris said. “You support 27,000 military and civilian personnel, along with 18,000 dependents and 36,000 retirees who count on you every day. Thank you for your service and I am honored to join the Wildcatter family.”
He added, “As your commander, I will never lose sight of my top priority: supporting you and your families, so you can confidently and effectively execute our nation’s mission. I am committed to earning your trust through teamwork, grounded in dignity and respect, so that together, we are ready to seize every opportunity ahead.”
Following two years as commander of the 72nd ABW, Ruscetta will retire after 28 years of dedicated and decorated service to the United States Air Force.
“It has been an absolute privilege to stand alongside each and every single one of you,” said Ruscetta. “It has been the honor of my lifetime. I didn’t know if I’d ever get to do this, and I got to do it. I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.”
The 72nd ABW provides installation support for more than 27,000 personnel assigned to the Headquarters Air Force Sustainment Center, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, 552nd Air Control Wing, Navy Strategic Communications Wing One, 507th Air Refueling Wing, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing and 45 other associate units. The 72nd ABW enables numerous critical missions at Tinker AFB, the largest single-site employer in the state of Oklahoma, with a total economic impact of more than $7.5 billion.