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Stefancic takes command of 123rd Intelligence Squadron

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. John Suleski
  • 188th Wing Public Affairs
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  Lt. Col. Tina L. Lipscomb relinquished command of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron to Lt. Col. Stanley "Sonny" L. Stefancic III in a formal change of command ceremony held March 8, 2015 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Stefancic took command after serving in numerous positions in the intelligence field over his 24-year career. He first enlisted in the Colorado Air National Guard in 1991 and received his commission in 1998. He has deployed several times, including contingencies such as Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. Stefancic has also supported humanitarian missions including the response for the 2007 Southern California wildfires.

In his speech, he first addressed members of the 188th Wing's 223rd Intelligence Support Squadron, which he left to take command of the 123rd.

"This is not a goodbye," said Stefancic. "I look forward to watching all of you succeed and grow."

The 123rd moved under the 188th Wing flag in 2014 as part of the Flying Razorbacks' on-going mission conversion. It is one of four squadrons under the new 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. The 123rd, comprised of 120 Airmen, is responsible for conducting near real-time exploitation of imagery intelligence collected by surveillance and reconnaissance platforms as well as providing combat intelligence to commanders and war fighting sources. The 123rd is the largest squadron in the 188th Wing in terms of manning authorizations.

For his previous service resulting in increased efficiency in the intelligence field, Stefancic received a Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony.

He took command of the 123rd during a time of great change for the unit. The 123rd has grown to support the 188th Wing's conversion from a flying mission to an intelligence mission. This includes a 50 percent increase in manpower and a physical movement from Little Rock Air Force Base to Ebbing ANG Base over the course of two years.

Stefancic said that through previous visits and by working with all facets of the 188th Wing, he knows he has taken command of an excellent unit.

"You don't know me, but I know you," said Stefancic. "I'm eager to get to know all of you even more and I'm excited to execute the ISR mission."

During Lipscomb's two-year reign, the 123rd has accomplished many incredible tasks, noted Col. Robert Kinney, commander of the 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. This includes producing thousands of intelligence products for many different commands, from overseas forces to counterdrug task forces.

"She has been just an absolute rock of stability in a very tumultuous time for not just the 188th Wing but the 123rd Intelligence Squadron as well," Kinney said. "This has been a key point in time for everyone."

Lipscomb received a Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony for distinguished service which resulted in more than 400 combat intelligence and surveillance missions leading to the exploitation of 500 targets and creation of 575 secondary imagery products and 6,200 hours of full-motion video.

As she stepped down from command, Lipscomb had a few words of advice for the squadron's new commander.

"Let me tell you about their uniqueness," she said. "The men and women of the 123rd have been through a bit of uncertainty over the last two years, from the approval of the unit's growth to the transition under a wing. The 123rd squadron members have kept their heads held high out of all the challenges that surround them."

Stefancic takes command of 123rd Intelligence Squadron

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. John Suleski
  • 188th Wing Public Affairs
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  Lt. Col. Tina L. Lipscomb relinquished command of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron to Lt. Col. Stanley "Sonny" L. Stefancic III in a formal change of command ceremony held March 8, 2015 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Stefancic took command after serving in numerous positions in the intelligence field over his 24-year career. He first enlisted in the Colorado Air National Guard in 1991 and received his commission in 1998. He has deployed several times, including contingencies such as Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. Stefancic has also supported humanitarian missions including the response for the 2007 Southern California wildfires.

In his speech, he first addressed members of the 188th Wing's 223rd Intelligence Support Squadron, which he left to take command of the 123rd.

"This is not a goodbye," said Stefancic. "I look forward to watching all of you succeed and grow."

The 123rd moved under the 188th Wing flag in 2014 as part of the Flying Razorbacks' on-going mission conversion. It is one of four squadrons under the new 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. The 123rd, comprised of 120 Airmen, is responsible for conducting near real-time exploitation of imagery intelligence collected by surveillance and reconnaissance platforms as well as providing combat intelligence to commanders and war fighting sources. The 123rd is the largest squadron in the 188th Wing in terms of manning authorizations.

For his previous service resulting in increased efficiency in the intelligence field, Stefancic received a Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony.

He took command of the 123rd during a time of great change for the unit. The 123rd has grown to support the 188th Wing's conversion from a flying mission to an intelligence mission. This includes a 50 percent increase in manpower and a physical movement from Little Rock Air Force Base to Ebbing ANG Base over the course of two years.

Stefancic said that through previous visits and by working with all facets of the 188th Wing, he knows he has taken command of an excellent unit.

"You don't know me, but I know you," said Stefancic. "I'm eager to get to know all of you even more and I'm excited to execute the ISR mission."

During Lipscomb's two-year reign, the 123rd has accomplished many incredible tasks, noted Col. Robert Kinney, commander of the 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. This includes producing thousands of intelligence products for many different commands, from overseas forces to counterdrug task forces.

"She has been just an absolute rock of stability in a very tumultuous time for not just the 188th Wing but the 123rd Intelligence Squadron as well," Kinney said. "This has been a key point in time for everyone."

Lipscomb received a Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony for distinguished service which resulted in more than 400 combat intelligence and surveillance missions leading to the exploitation of 500 targets and creation of 575 secondary imagery products and 6,200 hours of full-motion video.

As she stepped down from command, Lipscomb had a few words of advice for the squadron's new commander.

"Let me tell you about their uniqueness," she said. "The men and women of the 123rd have been through a bit of uncertainty over the last two years, from the approval of the unit's growth to the transition under a wing. The 123rd squadron members have kept their heads held high out of all the challenges that surround them."