Twitter
Facebook
As its Airmen maintained their 24-hour vigil at their terminals while ensuring a constant overwatch of air and space operations over Europe and Africa, the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center changed its leadership in a ceremony Tuesday at Ramstein’s Hangar 1.
Col. Jeffrey Marker, 603rd AOC commander, took command of the unit from Col. Peter Davey, who will become the NATO Allied Air Command director of staff.
Made up of 500 U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and coalition partners, the AOC provides command and control of air and space power in the U.S. European Command’s and the U.S. Africa Command’s areas of responsibility.
Before presenting the Legion of Merit to Davey, Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, acknowledged many of Davey’s significant accomplishments: he integrated 12 nations into the AOC within 48 hours as Operation Odyssey Dawn began; he led the transition from U.S.-led to NATO-led operations, called Operation Unified Protector; he relocated the 603rd into its new state-of-the-art facility; and he merged the 617th AOC with the 603rd, making the 603rd the only AOC to report to two combatant commands.
Davey attributed his successes to the team.
“You’ve dreamed big and achieved more,” Davey said as he addressed the 300 people attending the ceremony. “You’ve impressed me and amazed the senior leadership; you have furthered operational command and control to unparallel heights. You have met every milestone from the president of the United States on down — advanced ballistic missile defense, supported the war on terror and provided unrivaled support to those in need.
“It has been my deepest honor and pleasure to serve as your commander,” he continued.
Franklin, who presided over the ceremony, thanked Davey for his commitment and his leadership.
“He’s cool, calm and collected even under the most strenuous circumstances … and, that leadership has been crucial,” Franklin said. “I’m proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished with the Wolfhounds.”
Embracing the future, Franklin welcomed Marker as commander of the 603rd AOC. Marker’s previous assignment was the director of operations for U.S. Air Forces Central Command at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
“We look forward to your leadership and the next level you’ll take the AOC to in the next two years,” Franklin said. “The Airmen here are the heart and soul of the AOC. There’s a lot of great equipment, but it’s the Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors who make it run, and they’re also our greatest future for our forces.”
Marker, a master navigator with 2,400 hours, said he was humbled to lead the 603rd AOC.
“You have a reputation worldwide as an exceptional organization and the model air and space operations center,” Marker said. “You are the warriors that make the mission happen, every day, 24 hours a day … without fail. You have done so with extraordinary class, professionalism and an acknowledged warrior ethos. Well done.”
He said his goal is to continue executing the mission while integrating new technologies and capabilities.
“We will continue to strive to be the recognized leaders in joint and allied command and control integration,” Marker said. “We will focus on integrating all aspects of our joint air, space and cyber power to defend the national interests of the United States and our allies throughout Europe and Africa.”
The Boise, Idaho, native said interoperability with coalition partners will help the 603rd maximize its capabilities across the full spectrum of operations from humanitarian relief to counter-terrorism to major combat operations.
“I see it as my duty,” he said, “to ensure you have the vision, guidance and resources necessary to continue to carry out our mission in the same manner … and to strive to even newer heights.”
Marker said by employing a comprehensive training regime, the 603rd will be able “to execute, unimpeded, under any conditions, circumstances or operating environment, and we will do so with the service, integrity and excellence expected of all Air Force Airmen.”
