222d Welcomes Second Commander

  • Published
  • By Capt Greta Jackson
  • 174th Fighter Wing
A change of command ceremony for the 222nd Command and Control Squadron took place at Rome Labs on Friday, May 2012.

Friends and family members, military and civilians watched as Col Greg Semmel, 174th Fighter Wing commander, officiated the ceremony in which Col. Timothy Lunderman, the first 222 CACS commander, passed the reigns of control over to Lt. Col. Richard Henderson. Col Semmel said, "Lt. Col. Henderson has proven himself to be a capable leader, stepping up to cover when the commander was away. He knows the Triple Deuce inside and out because he has been part of the unit since its inception."


From the very beginning, Henderson served as the Director of Operations (DO), a key position with the responsibility of setting the course of the unit based on the commander's vision. When asked how it feels to be selected as the new commander, he said, "It was a very proud moment, but very humbling at the same time. As DO, I have seen all the challenges from start up, but I have seen a lot of milestones reached."


As the commander, Henderson has set his own vision for his unit of approximately 80 personnel: Together, take the unit to the next level of providing world class space professionals, integrated at the right place and time.


The 222 Command and Control Squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 174th Fighter Wing. It is located at Rome Labs at the Griffis Air Park. It is also co-located with the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, VA.

The unit is broken down into several branches. It operates a 24/7 watch center, conducts intelligence and threat assessments, and utilizes communications/computer and program security specialists. These branches culminate to provide for the safety and security of the United States, its citizens, and its many varied global interests.