9th Reconnaissance Wing receives new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chuck Broadway
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 9th Reconnaissance Wing welcomed a new commander when Col. Paul McGillicuddy received the colors from Brig. Gen. Robert Otto in a change of command ceremony April 2.

Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, 12th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony in front of hundreds of Beale Airmen, civilians and other community members.

"It is both an honor and a privilege to be a part of this special day at Team Beale," General Spears said. "The privilege of command can be summarized to 'take care of your people and accomplish your mission.' [General] Otto has done this, and so much more, as he has served as the commander of the 9th Wing and done it extremely well. I have every confidence in [Colonel McGillicuddy's] abilities, and he will serve this community and our nation well. Today is the day Colonel McGillicuddy will assume very special honor of command."

Colonel McGillicuddy, a 1984 graduate of the Air Force Academy, recently served as chief of Program Integration Division for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs at Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in T-37, T-38A, AT-38B, F-111D, F-111F, F-16C and D models.

"I admit this is very humbling," Colonel McGillicuddy said. "This wing is so rich with history which can be traced back to World War One. It's an honor to stand before the men and women of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing as your wing commander."

The newest leader of the 9th RW also mentioned how unique and important the mission at Beale is to the Air Force's overall mission.

"Our assignment today is as critical as ever," Colonel McGillicuddy said. "The nation and the Air Force are counting on all of us to do our part. Let there be no doubt, we will succeed in our mission."

General Otto exits the 9th RW and will become the director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities for the Deputy Chief of Staff of ISR at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.