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Fightin' Fifty-Fifth welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 55th Wing officially welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony here inside the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility June 19.

U.S. Air Force Col. Gregory Guillot took command of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth from U.S. Air Force Col. John Rauch, who has commanded the wing since June 2012.

"I am honored to join your team today," said Guillot, who comes to Offutt from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., where he was the commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing. "I will give everything I have to take care of you and your families and ensure you are organized, trained and equipped to provide air component commanders with highly disciplined, combat ready forces when called upon."

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, was the presiding official of the ceremony and said Guillot was the perfect fit for the wing.

"Being selected for command a second time ... speaks volumes about how the Air Force views you and your leadership," Rand said to Guillot. "I can tell you it's the best job in the Air Force, and I know you accept this reasonability with great honor and humility and that you will continue to lead with passion and represent our Airmen with class and dignity."

During his career, Guillot has held a variety of positions including U.S. Air Force Weapons School instructor, U.S. Air Forces Central master air attack planner, Air Combat Command AWACS program manager, E-3 flying squadron director of operations and commander, deputy director of the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group, chief of U.S. Central Command C2 Division, operations group commander and Air Combat Command deputy director of operations.

"He knows air power and he's literally done it from the ground up," Rand said. "He brings incredible insight to why our Airmen serve in the premier Air Force in the world. Furthermore, he's a proven combat commander and a multiple bronze star recipient. "

The new commander received his commission through the United States Air Force Academy in 1989 and is a senior air battle manger with more than 1,200 flying hours.

"We know the Airmen of the 55th Wing will be in high demand across the globe for years to come as our nation continues to combat extremist and terror," Guillot said. "I am truly honored to serve the men and women of the 55th Wing and Team Offutt."

Rauch transfers to the Pentagon where he'll serve within the plans and requirements directorate.

"The 55th Wing mission and our Airmen are far better off because of your leadership," Rand said to Rauch. "I know the 55th Wing holds a special place in your heart ... and your leadership, insight, and strategic vision have been part of the culture of success in compliance and modernization here all while sustaining our critical combat operations."

This was Rauch's sixth assignment with the wing, including a stint as the vice commander from June 2009 to July 2010.

"It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as the wing commander of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth," Rauch said. "We've prevailed as a wing (over the past year) because leadership, starting with our newest NCOs up through the squadron and group commanders and to our vice. You've focused on our Airmen, mission and safety and I thank you for all that leadership."

Coincidently, Guillot also followed Rauch as commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing.

And now, as commander of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, Guillot is responsible for organizing, training and equipping six groups and 32 squadrons around the world.