PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. Thomas G. Falzarano took command of the 21st Space Wing from Col. Todd R. Moore in a change of command ceremony July 10, 2019.
Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Davidson, 14th Air Force vice commander, presided over the transfer of command.
Before the changeover occurred, Moore had a few words for Team Pete.
“Regardless of the mission, regardless of the shift work, regardless of the weather, regardless of the demands, regardless of the ambiguity, you have been superior,” Moore said. “You have exceeded my expectations for discipline, aggressiveness and creativity.”
Moore had a few words for the wing’s new commander.
“I am so incredibly thankful for the officer who is replacing me,” Moore said. “Col. Falzarano is a friend and will be a great wing commander. There is no limit to the new heights this wing can achieve with your [audience] full support to his outstanding leadership.”
During the ceremony, Moore handed the blue and yellow guidon to Davidson, who in turn handed the flag to Falzarano, signifying the passing of command.
“The people of the 21st Space Wing are amazingly talented and endlessly motivated,” Davidson said. “This is day one with you as the leader of their team.”
Falzarano spoke to member of Team Pete and thanked Moore for his leadership and friendship.
“Together, you have set the standard for how to lead with integrity, humility and passion,” Falzarano said. “Leadership done right is a relay race and you have handed over the baton giving this team a commanding lead.”
The Knights of the 21st SW have a reputation for setting the standard for excellence, Falzarano continued.
“I look forward as we continue to building upon that tradition as a part of the 21st Space Wing team, a part of our team,” Falzarano said.
The 21st SW plays a vital role in protecting space for our nation and its allies. The wing provides missile warning and space control to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Strategic Command through a network of command and control units and ground-based sensors operated by geographically separated units around the world.
The 21st SW is the Air Force’s fifth largest wing and it consists of a work force of about 4,300 space professionals worldwide. The wing covers the globe in more than 20 locations across seven countries with more than 30 units.
“Some 23 years ago I began working on Peterson Air Force Base and I have been in and around the 21st Space Wing family ever since,” Falzarano said. “On this same flightline, I learned how to build a pallet and load an 18-wheeler onto a C-5. It has been an honor to once again be a part of your community.”
Before taking command of the wing, Falzarano was the executive officer to the commander of Air Force Space Command and the Joint Force Space Component Command. This is not the first time Falzarano has served in the area. He served at the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado from 1996-2000. He also served at Headquarters Air Force Space Command from 2004-2008 and again in 2018.