Photo By Senior Airman Mckenzie Airhart | Col. Gent Welsh (left), 194th Wing Commander, passes the 252nd Cyberspace Operations...... read more read more
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CAMP MURRAY, Wash.—Col. Rob Siau took command of the Washington Air National Guard’s 252nd Cyberspace Operations Group during a ceremony here on December 7.
Siau was previously the Group’s standards and evaluation chief, and he once commanded the 262nd Cyberspace Operations Squadron. He replaces Col. Kenneth Borchers as Group commander, who took command of the Washington Air Guard’s 194th Wing on Saturday. Siau is “a dependable leader” who is “nationally respected,” said Col. Gent Welsh, outgoing commander of the 194th Wing.
The 252nd has received national attention for its pioneering work in the military cyberspace operations field as well as its personnel—many hold civilian jobs in major Pacific Northwest technology companies. “Nowhere in the entire Air Force today will you find the blend of cyber and intel capabilities like you do in the 252nd,” said Welsh.
Welsh presented Borchers with the Legion of Merit, recognizing his leadership for cyber security support during the 2018 Washington State election and his enhancement of Washington’s relationship to Thailand and Malaysia through the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.
In his remarks, Siau noted the 67-year history of the 252nd and the evolution of its cyberspace operations mission under Borchers’s leadership. “There are no big changes on the horizon for our units, but we will continue to evolve our capabilities and improve our readiness to serve when called,” said Siau. Siau also emphasized the Group’s preparations to fulfill its domestic operations mission in Washington State, including cyber security support for the 2020 primary and general elections at the request of Governor Jay Inslee and Secretary of State Kim Wyman.
Addressing Airmen of the 252nd directly, Siau said that he is “excited to find ways to enable your abilities to lead, grow, and serve.”
During Siau’s promotion ceremony from lieutenant colonel to colonel preceding the change of command, Borchers called Siau a “chess master” in helping officers and enlisted members to navigate career development opportunities. “You have a gift for interaction with Airmen at every level,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2019 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 354687 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 223 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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