50 SW Changes Command

by Staff Report
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2015 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 50th Space Wing welcomed new leadership during a change-of-command ceremony held here May 29 at 2 p.m.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, commander, 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and Joint Functional Component Command for Space presided over the ceremony today that transferred command of the 50 SW from Col. William J. Liquori Jr. to Col. DeAnna M. Burt.

"The role of the 50 SW is vital to the safety and security of the United States," Raymond said. "The capabilities you provide allow commanders to see the battlespace with clarity, strike with precision, navigate with accuracy, communicate with certainty, and operate with assurance over global distances. To the Airmen of this Wing, you are the very best at what you do, you make it look easy and we all know it is not."

Prior to relinquishing command, Liquori addressed his fellow leaders, wing members and community partners.

"I have nothing to say today but thank you," said Liquori. "It was a privilege to lead a wing of this size and importance. You (Team Schriever) are going to go higher, farther and faster than you already have. You're in great hands."

Burt returns to Schriever, leaving her post at Air Force Space Command as Director of the Commander's Action Group. Burt was previously assigned to the installation as the 2nd Space Operations Squadron commander and has commanded at the flight and group levels along the Front Range.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be selected as the 50th Space Wing Commander and I am humbled by the opportunity," said Burt. "This is my third assignment to Schriever Air Force Base, so it feels like I'm coming home."

As wing commander, Burt will be responsible for more than 4,200 military, Department of Defense civilians and contractor personnel serving at 14 operating locations worldwide and operating 69 surveillance, navigation and timing, space situational awareness and communication satellites valued at more than $66 billion. The wing's Air Force Satellite Control Network supports a total of 175 satellites from multiple government agencies. Burt will also serve as the installation commander hosting approximately 20 mission partners whose combined economic impact is approximately $1 billion.

"The 50th Space Wing's Airmen work shoulder-to-shoulder with the 310th Space Wing and are at the heart of our space warfighting capability operating 69 payloads providing game-changing effects to warfighters around the globe," said Burt. "Space operations are a total force endeavor and we are proud to have such a close relationship with our Reserve partners. Together we will continue to advance space capabilities to improve warfighting operations, while denying our potential adversaries the same."

After two years in command here, Liquori is transitioning to his new post as the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Air Force in Washington D.C.