Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Col. Francisco J. Dominguez (right), incoming commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, salutes Brig. Gen. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, during a change of command ceremony June 8, 2019, at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio. The ceremony included the official passing of the guidon, which symbolizes transferring command of the unit.
New commander takes charge at 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group
Story by Spc. Anjelo Pina, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (06/08/19)
In a ceremony that honored a unit’s legacy of excellence and bright future, Col. Francisco J. Dominguez took command of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group from Col. Wade D. Rupper on June 8 at Springfield Air National Guard Base.
Brig. Gen. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, presided over the ceremony, which was well attended by former and current members of the 251st CEIG. Camp praised the culture of excellence that permeates the entire organization.
“This is a world-class organization in front of me,” Camp said. “Because of the legacy that has been left behind, this is the future of the (251st CEIG).”
As commander of the 251st CEIG, Rupper led more than 900 Airmen in National Guard units across the country, including Minnesota, Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas.
“We have an amazing team,” Rupper said. “I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the quality of our people. They are absolutely tremendous. These folks are our future.”
Looking forward, Rupper said he was excited to see what is next for the unit and its new commander, Dominguez, and how they would continue to set the standard.
“Today is about servant leadership, in my opinion,” Rupper said. “There is not one person in the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense that is better suited to bring his talent, his skill or his capabilities to the expeditionary warfight.”
Dominguez is taking command after being the deputy commander of the 251st CEIG. He has previously served in multiple capacities including several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I’m not rebuilding this organization, I’m not rebuilding the team, they are the most capable force we’ve ever fielded,” Dominquez stressed. “My job is to look beyond that. My purpose is to work toward the future, and that starts today.”
The 251st CEIG, located in Springfield, Ohio, provides engineering support, installation and communication capabilities to U.S. military units and service members worldwide. Its Airmen also ensure warfighters around the globe have the necessary cyberspace capabilities to perform their missions.
Col. Wade D. Rupper (right), outgoing commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, passes the unit guidon to Brig. Gen. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjuant general for Air.
Col. Francisco J. Dominguez (right), incoming commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, receives the unit guidon from Brig. Gen. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjuant general for Air.
Brig. Gen. James R. Camp (left), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, and Col. Wade D. Rupper (right), outgoing commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, congratulate Col. Francisco J. Dominguez, incoming commander of the 251st CEIG.
Col. Wade D. Rupper, outgoing commander of the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, presents flowers to his family during the change of command ceremony.
Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs