Col. John Wagner (right), receives command of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center from Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), during a change-of-command ceremony at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., June 4, 2012, as Chief Master Sgt. Frank Fidani, 614th AOC chief enlisted manager, looks on. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Levi Riendeau)
Col. Christopher Moss receives the Legion of Merit from Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), prior to relinquishing command of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Moss took command of the 614th AOC on April 26, 2010. Helms praised Moss on his leadership over the past two years and the critical roles the 614th AOC played in the delivery of space effects supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Tomodachi, Odyssey Dawn, and New Dawn. Regarding space situational awareness data sharing, the general said Moss solidified relationships with 32 commercial companies representing 12 different countries from around the globe. During his next assignment Moss will serve on the Pentagon's Joint Staff in the J3 directorate. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Levi Riendeau)
Col. John Wagner speaks with the audience after receiving command of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center following a change-of-command ceremony at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., June 4, 2012. Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) presided over the ceremony. Wagner's previous assignment was in Washington, D.C., where he served on the Pentagon's Joint Staff as a lead planner and deputy division chief in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, focused on U.S. operations in the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Levi Riendeau)
by Maj. Stacie N. Shafran
14th Air Force Public Affairs
6/12/2012 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. John Wagner assumed command of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center from Col. Christopher Moss during a change-of-command ceremony at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., June 4.
Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, commander of U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), presided over the ceremony.
"His leadership experience, coupled with his operational savvy, make Colonel Wagner the best possible choice to lead this highly talented and multifaceted team to new levels of excellence," said Helms.
Wagner's previous assignment was in Washington, D.C., where he served on the Pentagon's Joint Staff as a lead planner and deputy division chief in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, focused on U.S. operations in the Middle East.
As the commander of the 614th AOC, Wagner supports the 14th Air Force mission. He is also the director of the world's only joint space operations center (JSpOC). The JSpOC provides operational employment of worldwide joint space forces and enables the JFCC-Space commander to integrate space power into global military operations. It also performs screenings on approximately 1,100 active satellites daily, mitigating the danger of these systems colliding with the more than 22,000 trackable objects orbiting in space.
"To the 614th and the JSpOC total force and combined partner team, I'm thankful for what you've done and I'm excited about our future opportunities," said Wagner. "Particularly as we anticipate our adversaries, build our foundation, and transition to new capabilities while taking good care of our mission, our families, and each other. Your daily efforts truly make a difference."
A 1991 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Wagner's various assignments include military launch vehicle and spacecraft test, checkout, and launch; spacecraft mission operations; missile warning; wargames and exercises; and higher headquarters staffs. He commanded the 45th Launch Support Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., through 12 successful launches of upgraded intelligence, navigation, communications, and warning spacecraft. Wagner also served as the deputy commander of the 45th Launch Group.
During his next assignment Moss will serve on the Pentagon's Joint Staff in the J3 directorate.
