AFWA's 2d Weather Group under new leadership

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • h Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 2d Weather Group has a new leader following a change of command at the Air Force Weather Agency headquarters facility here July 12.

Col. David Bacot took charge of the 2d WXG from Col. Steven DeSordi during the ceremony held at the Chief Master Sgt. Peter Morris Auditorium.

"I am honored to be here and excited to take command of this group," Bacot said.

Col. Louis Zuccarello, AFWA commander, presided over the ceremony and welcomed Bacot to the group.

"He is well-prepared, a big thinker, and has done a lot operationally that make him a good fit for this position," he said. "We look forward to his leadership and I know he is ready to take command and lead."

Bacot comes to the group from Fort McNair in Washington D.C., where he was a graduate student at the National War College. He recently earned a master's degree in National Security Studies, specializing in the United States' long-term strategy for the Afghanistan Air Force.

"I've been TDY to Offutt so many times that I'm excited about rekindling a lot of relationships I've built here through the years and I am looking forward to building new ones as well," he said.

DeSordi leaves the 2d WXG for the Pentagon where he will serve on the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General staff.

"He orchestrated a synergy between the group's squadrons that enabled them to accomplish their diverse missions," Zuccarello said. "We're certainly going to miss him and we wish him the best."

DeSordi was presented with a Legion of Merit during the ceremony for his outstanding leadership of the group over the past two years.

"This has been an experience I'll never forget," he said. "It's been a great ride and I am so thankful for the high-speed staff that helps us accomplish our many missions."

The 2d WXG's mission is to deliver timely, relevant and specialized terrestrial, space and climatological global environmental intelligence to the Department of Defense and other national agencies as well as our nation's allied partners.

"We have a truly diverse mission," Bacot said, "and I can assure you the 2d WXG will continue to be ready to do its duty."

The 2nd WXG is comprised of the 2d Systems Operations Squadron, 2nd Weather Squadron and 16th Weather Squadron at Offutt, the 2d Combat Weather Systems Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and the 14th Weather Squadron in Asheville, N.C. It also includes four solar observatories located around the world.