480th Intelligence Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joe Campbell
  • 480th Intelligence Wing Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS)) --  Col. James R. Marrs assumed command of the 480th Intelligence Wing in a ceremony here June 22. 

Col. Judy G. Chizek relinquished command after nearly two years as the wing's commander. 

Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., Eighth Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. 

"The wing has accomplished some incredible things under Colonel Chizek's tenure," said General Elder. "The 480th IW processed 55 percent of the (Defense Department's) imagery during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts." 

The general also spoke of the doubling of Predator operations and the advancements in equipment sophistication and analysis throughout the past several years. He recounted conversations with his Army peers, who were impressed by the wing's ability to continually make intelligence available to the warfighter. 

"Because you are at the forefront of what is important to our nation, this is a busy time for the 480th Intelligence Wing, with the focus on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan," said General Elder. "Thank you for what you do everyday because it saves Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen on the ground." 

Colonel Chizek, who retired in a separate ceremony June 22 after 23 years of active service, thanked the men and women of the 480th IW for their innovation and dedication to the mission.

"When the ground forces wanted something new or better, you delivered. You welcomed new ideas and then sent teams to train the warfighter," she said. "This team lives the Air Force Core Values and you continually amazed me in what you could do, wanted to do and did for the Global War on Terror." 

Colonel Marrs comes to the 480th IW from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where he commanded the National Security Agency and Central Security Service Texas and the 543rd Intelligence Group. 

He was commissioned in 1987 as a distinguished and honors graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. 

"Thank you, General Elder, for your trust and confidence; this is a dream come true," said Colonel Marrs. "The 480th Intelligence Wing delivers global vigilance every day and the clearly fantastic Airmen -- active-duty, guard and reserve, civilians and contractors -- make it happen. I look forward to the times and opportunities ahead." 

The 480th IW is the lead wing for Air Force Distributed Common Ground System operations providing global distributed and reachback intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The wing presents multidiscipline ISR analysis forces to enable dominant air and space power by Combat and Mobility Air Forces. It is the Center of Excellence for geospatial intelligence, target analysis, and precision engagement intelligence.