Colonel takes charge of 96th Communications Group

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AFB, Fla. --  The 96th Communications Group welcomed a new leader July 11 at the Air Force Armament Museum here. 

Col. Steven O'Rear joined the wing after an assignment as chief of the Operations Division, Directorate of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems (J6), United States Transportation Command, Scott AFB, Ill. 

Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, welcomed the colonel and his family, stressing the group's important mission. 

"Most of you already know how vital information security is to our nation," Colonel McClintock said. "Campaign planners look to communications every day and cyber space plays a vital role in the execution of the mission." 

Colonel McClintock said that group operations are "on the cutting edge," and are tied directly to the test and evaluation mission, capabilities unique to the Air Force. The group also protects against network attacks, stopping more than 100,000 daily. 

"You daily stretch the bounds of what traditional communications roles means," the commander said. 

Colonel O'Rear received his commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps at Troy State University. He has commanded two communications squadrons and a Combined Task Force detachment. He has also served in staff positions at United States Transportation Command, Headquarters Air Force and Headquarters Air Force Space Command and has deployed to the European, Southwest Asia and Pacific areas of responsibility. Additionally, Colonel O'Rear has performed non-rated aircrew duties aboard Joint Airborne Communications Center/Command Post aircraft and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne Course. 

Colonel O'Rear said his priorities closely mirror those of the Air Force: win the war on terror, develop and care for Airmen and their families and prepare for tomorrow's challenges. 

"We must never lose sight that our Airman are our most valuable weapon system, and technology increases our military advantage only so long as we have a proficient work force," Colonel O'Rear said. 

He also stated that his belief is goals are best established by the unit and "together we will develop our goals and develop the roadmap to achieve them." 

One of the major challenges the group faces is to ensure the group is prepared to support the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter and 7th Special Forces Group. 

"We need to ensure organizations aligned with those missions receive the capabilities here to hit the ground ' locked, cocked and ready to rock'. It's a tremendous challenge."