55th CBCS welcomes new commander

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  • By 960th Cyberspace Operations Group Public Affairs

It was a day of new beginnings for the 55th Combat Communications Squadron and its commander, as the unit witnessed two ceremonies at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 6.

Lt. Col. Ricky Hornsby was at the center of this weekend’s events, as he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in one ceremony and then assumed command of the 55th CBCS in another.

Col. Anthony M. Perkins, 960th Cyberspace Operations Group commander, presided over the assumption of command ceremony, where he quoted the former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Polin, before challenging Hornsby and his entire team to continue building on the legacy of the 55th CBCS.

“Colin Powell once said, ‘Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.’  Lt. Col. Hornsby with steadfast support from Chief Master Sgt. [Bart] Sawyer, is that type of leader.”

Despite the complex mission of the 55th CBCS to provide combat ready expeditionary forces to establish robust bare base Air Expeditionary Wings in support of Joint Chiefs of Staff and geographic combatant commander taskings during wartime and contingency operations or humanitarian missions in austere locations, Perkins encouraged Hornsby to keep his leadership simple and concise as he takes command of the unit and said he’s the right person for the job.

   “Lt. Col. Hornsby is the person to command and continue this squadron’s history of great achievement in the face of steep challenges,” Perkins said. “An officer with exemplary service on active duty, in the National Guard, and now in the Reserve component, with a diverse background from flight command to mission systems to cyberspace ops warfare officer – Lt. Col. Hornsby is the best choice to lead the 55th CBCS now and into the future.” 

Prior to the assumption of command ceremony, Col. Fred Massey, the Assistant Military Deputy at the Operations Center Defense Information Systems Agency, presided over Hornby’s promotion ceremony and expressed confidence in the new commander.

"Ricky has an amazing track record of leadership excellence serving in Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Industry,” said Massey. “And I expect to continue to see great things from him in the future."

Hornsby’s comments indicated he understood the importance of his new position, and shared his excitement and commitment to furthering the legacy of the unit.

“I am honored to be the new Commander of the 55th CBCS – the best Combat ‘Comm’ unit in the U.S. Air Force,” Hornsby said. “The 55th CBCS has a history of completing all missions [in the Continental United States or Overseas] whether they are combat communications specific or not. So, as your commander, I will ensure – with your help – we continue to build on that legacy.”