Photo By Garrett Cole |
Members of the Tinker Air Force Base Honor Guard march with the colors during the......read moreread more
Photo By Garrett Cole | Members of the Tinker Air Force Base Honor Guard march with the colors during the 552nd Air Control Group change of command ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, July 20, 2026. The ceremony marked the formal transfer of command from Col. Andrew J. Babiarz to Col. Joseph N. Faraone (U.S. Air Force photo by Garrett Cole) see less
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TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Col. Joseph Faraone assumed command of the 552nd Air Control Group from Col. Andrew Babiarz during a change of command ceremony July 20, 2026.
Col. Kendrick Carroll, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, which marked the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for the Air Force's only air control group.
During the ceremony, the group's guidon was passed from Babiarz to Faraone. The exchange is a military tradition symbolizing the outgoing commander's relinquishment of authority and the incoming commander's acceptance of responsibility for the unit and its Airmen.
Carroll recognized Babiarz for guiding the group through a demanding period that included operational deployments, organizational changes, modernization efforts and challenges associated with maintaining legacy equipment.
"You stabilized the formation, rallied the team and reminded everyone of their vital, no-fail mission," Carroll said.
Babiarz assumed command in May 2024 following the unexpected death of his predecessor. Carroll said Babiarz provided the steady and compassionate leadership the group needed while continuing to prepare its Airmen for worldwide operations.
Under Babiarz's leadership, the group sustained its current combat capabilities while advancing the Tactical Operations Center-Light program. The developing system is intended to provide more mobile and adaptable command-and-control capabilities for future operations.
Babiarz also helped develop the system's employment concept, providing a foundation for how Airmen will use the equipment on future missions. The group tested the concept through exercises, inspections and its first operational deployment.
At the same time, the group continued supporting missions across multiple combatant commands. Its Airmen established persistent command-and-control coverage for U.S. Southern Command operations targeting illicit drug-trafficking networks.
The group also completed a major organizational change that inactivated the 752nd Operations Support Squadron and established the 71st Air Control Squadron.
For his accomplishments as commander, Babiarz received the Legion of Merit. The award recognized his leadership across four squadrons, including two geographically separated units, and his efforts to balance current operational requirements with the Air Force's future command-and-control needs.
Addressing the group for the final time as its commander, Babiarz credited the organization's Airmen with overcoming equipment delays, demanding inspections and continuous deployment rotations.
"Through it all, you stayed focused on delivering the quality ground-based, soon-to-be-mobile-again battle management command and control our Air Force needs," Babiarz said.
He also reflected on the group's resilience following the loss of its previous commander and thanked its Airmen for supporting one another as they continued the mission.
"You are all truly the heart and soul of air control," Babiarz said. "I'm going to miss you."
Carroll challenged the group's Airmen to provide Faraone with the same dedication and drive they demonstrated under Babiarz.
"The face at the podium is changing, but the mission remains absolute," Carroll said. "The Air Force depends on you to maintain our nation's tactical edge."
Carroll said Faraone's operational experience and leadership record prepared him to guide the group as it continues to modernize its equipment and prepares for future conflicts. He charged Faraone with caring for the group's Airmen and families while maintaining the unit's operational readiness.
Faraone thanked Carroll for his trust and expressed appreciation to the mentors, family members and Airmen who supported him throughout his career.
"To the men and women of the 552nd Air Control Group, I'm absolutely humbled and honored to serve as your commander," Faraone said. "The professionalism and discipline of this group and our Airmen is beyond reproach."
Faraone said he plans to continue the group's tradition of superior performance and innovation while fostering an environment in which Airmen feel valued and respected.
"Together, we're going to continue the legacy of superior performance, innovation and bringing vicious harmony to our adversaries," Faraone said.
The 552nd Air Control Group provides expeditionary command-and-control and battle management capabilities. Its Airmen deploy radar, communications and support equipment to establish a tactical picture and help joint force commanders make informed decisions in contested environments.
