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Col. Abigail Ruscetta takes command of the 76th PMXG

  • Published
  • By Kevan Goff-Parker

Col. Abigail Ruscetta accepted the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group’s guidon from Brig. Gen. Christopher D. Hill, commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, during a July 27 Change of Leadership ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base.

Ruscetta thanked Tinker AFB leaders, her family and the 76th PMXG members.

“To the men and women of the PMXG, this is for you,” Ruscetta said. “Because of the decisions that you make, the components and the engines you produce, we all sleep well at night.”

She said the PMXG’s work and actions directly impact the warfighter every single day.

“Whether it is over the skies of Afghanistan or Syria, U.S. or elsewhere. Our pilots know they can put warheads on foreheads and they safely train because of the engines produced here. You put the power in air power and we will continue to produce combat-ready air power.”

Ruscetta is a 20-year aircraft maintenance officer. She served as commander of the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, worked in various assignments at the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, served at the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, Korea and with the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

“Abby Ruscetta is the perfect next leader for this unit. She’s no stranger to depot maintenance and the complexities of maintenance repair and overhaul,” Hill said. “She is highly educated and qualified with both Air Force and Joint experience across a range of mission sets in tactical and operational environments.

“She brings an elite athlete’s drive and a determination to achieve results.”

Prior to presenting outgoing PMXG Commander Robert Helgeson with the “Exemplary Civilian Service Award,” Hill congratulated him for a job well-done. He added that when senior USAF leaders change, the Air Force doesn’t rebuild, “we just reload.”

Helgeson, who has been promoted to a senior executive service and will soon join the J4 Logistics Directorate at the United States Central Command Headquarters at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida, thanked the 76th PMXG, Team Tinker leaders and the group’s partners.

He added that he would let others at CENTCOM “… know the folks here are supporting that warfighting effort and doing everything they can.”

He also challenged Ruscetta to take leadership of the group and to “listen and learn from the great professionals in the PMXG.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that you’ll take it to a higher level,” Helgeson said, before addressing his group. “My challenge to you is to continue to give Colonel Ruscetta and her family the same great support that you gave me.”