Colonel Dominguez appointed to command 350 ELSW

  • Published
  • By Monica D. Morales
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  When Col. Robert Dominguez took hold of the 350th Electronic Systems Wing guidon May 2, it brought back a flood of memories of his time here as a captain and the promise of new challenges ahead as the wing's newest commander.

"It's a great privilege to take command here at the 350th, where the work of the wing is essential to the capabilities of today's warfighter and the future Air Force," he said.

Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds presided over the appointment to command ceremony held in the 950th Electronic Systems Group auditorium in Building 1614.

Despite being welcomed into his new ESC post, Hanscom is familiar territory to Colonel Dominguez. He worked here as the Eagle Vision program manager in the Imagery Systems Directorate from 1992 to 1994, and as reconnaissance ground systems program manager for the Intelligence Ground Systems Product Group from 1994 to 1996.

"I'm extremely pleased to be back at ESC and in New England, where I'm here to serve the mighty 3-5-0," Colonel Dominguez said. "It's nice to come back."

Colonel Dominguez referred to another assignment that has twice appeared in his career path and that he feels has contributed to his confidence in leading at ESC. However, the return trip to the Pentagon, he said, in no way compares to his Hanscom homecoming.

"We'll face many new challenges together, and whether born or trained, it's only the tenacity of a New Englander that can deliver," he said.

And it's the business of delivering that's inherent to the 350th ELSW, General Bowlds said.

Strides made with Block 10.2 of the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System and collaboration with United States Strategic Command on the Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network are among the wing's top accomplishments.

Also on that list is its work with the Air and Space Operations Center, a system the general recently witnessed in action on a trip to Southwest Asia.

"If you take a look at where this system was and where it is now, it truly represents the talent and the leadership in this room," General Bowlds said.

Along with that work and dedication, comes finding the fit of the right leader for the job.

"This is a tough business and you can't just put anyone in it," General Bowlds said. "You need acquisition experience, someone who knows the ins and outs, and we find that in Colonel Dominguez."