HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Col. Mark Wuertz assumed leadership of the Ground-Based Air Defense Sensors Division during a change of leadership ceremony here, June 11.
The position marks a return to familiar territory for Wuertz, who served in the organization, then known as the Theater Battle Control Division, as materiel leader of Long-Range Radar Programs from July 2023 to July 2025.
“It is an incredible privilege to take on the responsibility of leading the ESG team,” said Wuertz. “In the first few weeks, my priority is to listen and learn. We have a massive responsibility to the warfighter and to the nation. Delivering these capabilities requires us to operate with discipline, speed and trust in one another. I am here to serve you; I am excited to be back and to work with each of you.”
Wuertz succeeds Col. Michael Alexander, who retired from the Air Force after leading the division through a period of organizational change and modernization.
During the ceremony, Lea Kirkwood, program executive officer for Electronic Systems Directorate, highlighted during her remarks the division’s critical role in delivering sensing capabilities that support homeland defense and global operations.
Among the systems developed and sustained are the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) and the Homeland Defense Over-the-Horizon Radar.
These capabilities provide commanders with the information needed to detect potential threats and make informed operational decisions.
“These are things that can tell us that something is coming our way,” Kirkwood said. “When we think about the sensors that Mike [Alexander] and his team have worked on, it's clear the importance of these systems, not only for the homeland but also anywhere that we have troops.”
Kirkwood also expressed confidence in Wuertz’s ability to continue that momentum.
“I’m happy Mark [Wuertz] is bringing his expertise back to us,” she said. “He will provide a seamless transition. He is rejoining a great team, and I think he is the right leader to take this on.”
Prior to his new role, Wuertz served as the deputy associate director for Engineering and Technical Management/Services at Hanscom AFB.