Space wing leadership changes hands

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. Donald "Wayne" McGee Jr. (right) salutes Maj. Gen. William Shelton (left), 14th Air Force commander, after assuming command of the 460th Space Wing during a change of command ceremony June 12 at Hangar 909 here. Colonel McGee replaced Col. David W. Ziegler who is retiring after 25 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman LaDonnis Crump)

Space wing leadership changes hands

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. Donald "Wayne" McGee Jr., the new 460th Space Wing commander, addresses Team Buckley, community leaders and guests during a change of command ceremony June 12 at Hangar 909 here. Colonel McGee said he looks forward to the challenging road ahead for the 460th and Team Buckley. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman LaDonnis Crump)

Space wing leadership changes hands

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Maj. Gen. William Shelton (left), 14th Air Force commander, and Col. Donald "Wayne" McGee Jr. (right) applaud outgoing 460th Space Wing Commander Col. David W. Ziegler on his many accomplishments during his career and tenure as wing commander during a change of command ceremony June 12 at Hangar 909 here. Colonel McGee replaced Colonel Ziegler who is retiring after 25 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman LaDonnis Crump)

Space wing leadership changes hands

Published June 12, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Sanjay Allen
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Buckley, community leaders and guests gathered as the 460th Space Wing leadership changed during a change of command ceremony June 12 at Hangar 909 here.

Col. David W. Ziegler passed command of the wing to Col. Donald "Wayne" McGee Jr. Colonel McGee was previously the 21st Operations Group commander at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. Colonel Ziegler will retire after 25 years of service.

Fourteenth Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. William Shelton, who presided over the ceremony, stated that Colonel McGee is the perfect fit for Buckley, touting all of his accomplishments in the Air Force space community.

Colonel McGee said he was excited about his opportunity to lead the wing and shared his vision for the future.

"There are great challenges facing the 460th and Buckley over the next two years, and as the commander, it's my goal to deliver the strongest possible satellite infrared global surveillance, missile warning and missile defense capability to protect North America and win our wars abroad," said Colonel McGee. "I believe to accomplish this, I'll need team work from the entire Buckley community to do three things: advance our weapon system capabilities, deploy properly trained warrior Airmen, and enhance our sense of community.

"I look forward to building the spirit of Team Buckley with you all," he said.

General Shelton commended Colonel Ziegler on his accomplishments during his two years as commander of the 460th. Some of the accomplishments include numerous upgrades and changes to space operations and the addition of military family housing along with eight other major construction projects to Buckley.

Colonel Ziegler said Buckley was the most profound team experience in his career. He described the relationship between the base and the local community, the 77 tenant units, and all the branches of service that make Team Buckley.

He related his final words to a military commander from over 3,000 years ago, where his troops would do anything for him and he had the highest respect for his troops.

"Thank God for creating such mighty warriors," he said. "Thank God they defend this country we call America."