News

New 5th CCG commander uses past to navigate future

  • Published
  • By Holly L. Birchfield
  • 78th ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  Some commanders have their sights set steadfast on the future, but that's not the case for Col. Jose Rivera, who took command of the 5th Combat Communications Group July 18.

Colonel Rivera, formerly the deputy director of Political Military Affairs at Headquarters, Southern Command in Miami, Fla., wants to take the group back to its roots.

"This group has a proud lineage and a proud heritage dating back to the mid-1960s," he said. "As you look at the history of this particular unit, it has answered our nation's call every single time."

Colonel Rivera plans to continue that lineage of service to country and improve how this group provides communications and information services to the deployed warfighter.

The 45-year-old Ponce, Puerto Rico native also wants his group to maintain its high standard of excellence.

Colonel Rivera said he wants Airmen to be proud of their 5th MOB connection.

"We are very proud of our unit," he said. "We instill a lot of pride in heritage and what we do. There is an incredible support system in our NCOs and officers as people come into our unit. When people join the MOB, it's not just a unit. It's a family."

Since his arrival, Colonel Rivera said he has been impressed with Robins.

"First impressions are lasting impressions," he said. "From the moment I came through the gate, I was met with sharp professionals willing to provide great assistance. People were very friendly and very knowledgeable about what they were doing."

Colonel Rivera was equally impressed with the Airmen he now leads.

The colonel said he's looking forward to a bright future with the group.

During the first week of October, the Air Force's stateside combat communications units will become part of the new Cyber Command.

"I don't see any major changes in the way our unit operates," Colonel Rivera said. "As a matter of fact, we will take our standards of excellence with us into this new command."

First Lt. Mark Duncan, 5th CCG executive officer who tracks tasks for the group and the commander, said he looks forward to working with the group's new leader.

"One of the unique things about the group changes of command and changes of command in general is that you get a new leader and a new perspective," he said. "It really gives the group a chance to focus on new areas. Where one commander may excel in one area, the next commander will excel in a different area. It makes the group better overall."

Lieutenant Duncan said he looks forward to seeing how the next couple of years will unfold under Colonel Rivera's command.

"I think he's going to bring the esprit de corps and unit cohesion to a whole new level," he said. "We had that with Colonel Block. Colonel Block got us to a new level with our mission capabilities. As far as missions are concerned, we're at 100 percent now. Colonel Rivera is going to bring the unit together to really make the 5th CCG shine."

Lt. Col. Norman Eckert, 5th CCG deputy commander, said Colonel Rivera will build upon the foundation left by his predecessor.

"His main focus is on mentorship, officership and restoring some of those 5th MOB traditions that had kind of fallen by the wayside over the years," he said. "(He aims to) bring back the pride in being able to stand up and say, 'I work in the best communications group in the United States Air Force.'"

Colonel Eckert said Colonel Rivera wants to restore officer pride, leadership, and traditions.

"I think he's going to bring a lot of fun back to the group," he said. "He's already challenging the officers in some of the things they're doing. He wants to make it fun."

Colonel Eckert said the commander has recently started the group doing officer formation runs where members carry the group's guidon and sing jodies. It's amazing the kind of people that look at you and smile and it's like 'hoorah! We're back.'"