117th ACS Change of Command

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amber Williams
  • 165th AW
Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Ga. --  On June 10th, 2016 the 117th Air Control Squadron conducted a change of command ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield.

Lt. Col. Ronald Speir relinquished command of the 117th ACS to move onto serve as the director or personnel for the Georgia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Marietta, Ga. Speir originally joined the 117th ACS in 1987 when he enlisted as an aerospace control and warning system operator.

Lt. Col. Elizabeth Baker assumed command from Col. Hal Davis, the 165th Airlift Wing Operations Group Commander. "It's unbelievable and a privilege to serve as the new commander of the 117th ACS; I earned my commission with this unit and then to eventually take command of this unit is incredibly humbling," said Baker. "It's an amazing crew and they have already accomplished so much. I look forward to how we will continue to progress in the future."

Baker started her Air Force career as a computer operations specialist and system administrator at Lowry Air Force Base, Co. In 1993 Baker transferred to the 116th Fighter Wing, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., where she also earned her degree in Computer Science from Shorter College. In 1997, she accepted a position at the 117th ACS, earning her commission at McGhee-Tyson Air Force Base to serve as an Air Battle Manager.  After the events of September 11th, Baker took on many roles tied to homeland defense missions across the U.S, which also includes two rotations for NASA, providing airspace security for shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral. Baker has deployed several times in support of Operation Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and most recently Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support.