Rogers becomes first civilian to lead 82nd CS

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It's widely known that communications squadrons across the Air Force have gone through drastic changes over the past couple years.

The 82nd Communications Squadron went through another change June 30 when leadership changed from military to civilian leadership when guidance changed over to Andrew Rogers, the former deputy director of the squadron. The change is a movement that is occurring Air Force wide.

But, Mr. Rogers isn't worried about how his team will carry out business given the unit's past performance.

"No matter the task at hand, the communications squadron stood up and took on the challenge," he said, citing a recent replacement of precision approach radar completed at cost-saving measures for the Air Force in house.

Under Rogers' leadership, the squadron is sure to carry on the good works it has accomplished since such things as an up-tick in network security and the ban of USB devices came into play. He has vast experience in the communications field, including time at major command, group, squadron and NATO levels.

He has also served as a member of an inspector general's team, chief of network operations and surveillance and reconnaissance missions in various aircraft.

Col. Kimberley Ramos, commander of the 82nd Mission Support Group and presiding officer over the ceremony, said there is no harder job in the world than to step into a leadership position of an organization that is undergoing change. But, she doesn't lack confidence in her new leader of the squadron.

"Mr. Rogers is very experienced," she said. "You have a real tough act to follow. But I have no doubts you can lead (the squadron) to even better (accomplishments)."

Lt. Col. Jennifer Romero, the relinquishing commander of the squadron, said her dream was to become a communications commander. She jokingly said if she knew what it would entail, she would have made her prayers a little more specific. But, she said the changes the Air Force is facing in communications is necessary to keep the service same from those who intend to do it harm.

Some of those changes, though, have put more on communications patrons.

"Our customer is being asked more and more every day, especially as our manpower has been cut to the bone," she said.

She said the Air Force is working to make the communications field bolder in force and capabilities. The colonel said Sheppard's network gets 50,000 "pings" every day from those who wish to break into the base's computer system. She added that one hit can bring down a single network.

But, as her former commander said, she has the utmost confidence in Mr. Rogers' ability to carry on the business she's led for the past three years.

"By him taking over, you may not realize how lucky you are," she told members of the 82nd CS. "He was asked by a lot of bases to go work for them."

Mr. Rogers will now be in charge of a network that services the 82nd Training Wing and 80th Flying Training Wing. He'll command 170 military, civilian and contract employees as well as a $4 million budget and more than $107 million in assets.