Colonel Patrick Cobb assumes command of 102nd Intelligence Wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrick McKenna
  • 102nd Intelligence Wing Public Affairs
Colonel Patrick J. Cobb assumed command of the 102nd Intelligence Wing from Col. Anthony E. Schiavi during a ceremony here, Aug. 25. Major General L. Scott Rice, The Adjutant General (Acting), Massachusetts National Guard, presided over the ceremony in the headquarters hangar.

Schiavi, who has been the 102nd IW commander since 2008, reflected on his time with the 102nd which he commanded during the transition from a fighter to an intelligence wing. He said the transition wouldn't have been possible without the efforts of the Otis personnel and their families; and with the Airmen's professionalism and Col. Cobb's leadership, the future of the wing is bright.
General Rice highlighted Cobb's military career and emphasized the experience and knowledge Cobb brings from his intelligence background to the 102nd IW.

"I'm truly honored to take one of the best-of-the-best within the organization of intelligence and place in his hands the responsibility of taking this wing to unbelievably new heights of excellence," said Rice.

Most recently, Cobb served as the director of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for the Air National Guard (ANG) at Joint Base Andrews, Md. In that position, he oversaw the activities of more than 7,000 ANG/ISR personnel in each of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

In his new role as commander of the 102nd IW, Cobb will be responsible for the activities of more than 1,300 military and civilian personnel at the base who ensure the wing's ability to respond to peacetime contingencies while maintaining preparedness to accomplish its wartime mission.

"I look forward to the challenges and I'm extremely fortunate and humbled to be your commander," Cobb said. "I promise I will do my best every day to work with you to help push this wing forward."

Leadership at the highest levels of Massachusetts government has worked closely with the military leaders here at the 102nd ensuring a strong partnership. In a statement, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray emphasized his goal of continuing that connection with Schiavi and Cobb in their new roles.

"Leaders of the National Guard have been great partners as we work together to protect the mission and jobs at MMR [Massachusetts Military Reservation] and all of the state's military investments and infrastructure," said Murray, Chair of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. "Colonel Anthony Schiavi will continue to play an integral role in these efforts. I look forward to also working with Colonel Patrick Cobb and welcome him back to Otis Air National Guard Base. The mission, jobs and investments at the base have a significant impact on our state and national security and Colonels Schiavi and Cobb are tremendous servicemen who will help lead the way."

As Rice prepared to hand the reigns over to the wing's new commander, he reflected back on the wing's history and recent accomplishments and looked forward to the wing's next chapter under Cobb's leadership.

"This wing stands on the strength of a history of absorbing change and becoming something greater than yourselves," Rice said. "That is what will carry you into new frontiers. It's not if this wing has a future. It's what the future will bring to this wing."