HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- In an era defined by strategic competition, the 505th Command and Control Wing, the U.S. Air Force’s only wing dedicated to operational-level command and control, transitioned leadership during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 10.
Brig. Gen. David Epperson, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, presided over the ceremony, facilitating the transfer of command from Col. Ryan “APE” Hayde to Col. James “Denzel” Fields II before a distinguished audience of joint leaders, community partners from across the Emerald Coast, and Airmen from Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base.
Epperson praised Hayde’s three-year tenure, highlighting his role in transforming how the joint force prepares for high-end conflict.
“Col. Ryan Hayde was the right person at the right time,” said Epperson. “His leadership in transforming this training to lead the joint force through the command and control challenges we face in strategic competition has been exceptional. He led the first air operations center support to exercise Bamboo Eagle, underpinning the revolutionary change in how the joint force will get after communication in the future.”
Hayde, who is departing for his next assignment, reflected on his time leading the wing. “To the men and women of the 505th, it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve with you,” said Hayde. “The gold standard of command and control resides in this wing. Thank you for your dedication, your sacrifice, and for remembering that our mission is about the people.”
Epperson emphasized that Fields is the ideal leader to continue the wing’s momentum, citing his deep, lifelong expertise in the C2 enterprise.
“Taking command is Col. James 'Denzel' Fields, and he is the perfect fit to lead the 505th,” said Epperson. “He knows the operations center enterprise inside and out. He was born and raised in the command and control community. He is the right person to take this wing to the next level.”
The ceremony also marked a transition for the wing's senior enlisted leadership, as Chief Master Sgt. Jacinta Migo, who served as the acting command chief, relinquished responsibility to the incoming command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Wiesner. Together, Fields and Wiesner now form the new command team for the 505th Command and Control Wing.
Fields, who previously commanded the 505th Test and Training Group, addressed the wing for the first time as their commander, leaving no doubt as to the organization’s foundational role in airpower.
“To the 505th Command and Control Wing, command and control isn't just doctrine, a platform, or a system. It is who we are, and what we do,” Fields said. “Individually, you are the experts behind the scenes. Collectively with our brother and sister wings, you are C2. I welcome the challenge because I know we are built for this. We are one unified, purpose-built wing with a name that says it all: We are C2.”
The 505th Command and Control Wing is responsible for preparing and enabling the joint force to execute war-winning command and control of airpower. The wing is comprised of the 505th Test and Training Group at Hurlburt Field, Florida, the 505th Combat Training Group at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and Detachment 1, 505th CCW at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.