OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 2nd Weather Group held a change of command ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, June 24, 2020.
Col. Patrick Williams relinquished command to Col. Michael Marsicek in a ceremony presided by Col. Brian Pukall, 557th Weather Wing commander.
“Thank you Pat, for your leadership in the 2nd WXG over the last couple years,” Pukall said. “And I’ll say if the last couple years are any indication, when you take the reins in your next job, the wing will be unstoppable.”
Williams will move up to become the 557th WW’s commander. He spoke about the group successfully overcoming the challenge of reorganization.
“The hardest and worst thing you can probably do to an organization is reorganize the unit,” Williams said.
Williams added, “In a two year timeframe, you shifted your thinking and culture. You went from a functional leadership to an operational leadership mind-set. You went from focusing on programmatics and acquisition to focusing on operations. There was no playbook for that. There was a little guidance and direction on how to do that, but you did it.”
Prior to becoming 2nd WXG Commander, Marsicek was Chief of Weather Strategic Plans and Integration Division at Headquarters Air Force, Directorate of Weather.
“You are the right leader for the 2nd WXG, for what’s coming next, absolutely,” Pukall said. “You’re a high potential officer, forged by a long career in the Air Force, in weather, both as enlisted and an officer.”
Marsicek thanked the group for its work and spoke to its impact on operations from his experience.
“I have enjoyed learning about your many successes and have utilized your unique capabilities when I worked for our Air Force Chief of Staff,” Marsicek said. “As just one example, I watched first hand as our Chief made National Defense Strategy decisions using environmental intelligence provided from this group and wing. You have truly moved mountains and you should be proud of your accomplishments.”
Marsicek also gave the 2nd WXG advice going forward.
“There will be change,” Marsicek said. “That is inevitable. Do not fear it! Rather, welcome the new experiences it will offer you. How you carry yourself every day will decide the direction this goes. Do not take that charge lightly. Remember to set goals, then go after them! Be proactive leaders, not reactive. Have a plan, then follow it through. Dream big!”
The ceremony was adapted to incorporate COVID-19 precautions. In addition to social distancing during the formal change of command, the event was streamed on Facebook Live.
Family members were still able to participate in the ceremony. Father Mark Williams, Col. Williams’ brother, sent a video invocation from his parish in Vicenza, Italy. Williams’ daughters, Victoria Williams and Cadet 3rd Class Shannon Williams, sang the National Anthem and served as proffer, respectively.
The 2nd WXG is the 557th WW’s production center and is a trans-regional, multi-functional, multi-domain environmental capability to combatant commands. Its mission is to provide global, terrestrial, space and climatological environmental intelligence to the joint force, Defense Department senior leaders, select members of the intelligence community, interagency partners and allied nations.