310th SG gives outgoing commander final salute

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jeremy Cotton
  • 6th Space Operations Squadron
Col. Jeffrey Ansted assumed command of the 310th Space Group here Saturday at a change-of-command ceremony at the Joint National Integration Center here.

Colonel Ansted succeeds Col. Roscoe Griffin, who is now director of Reserve forces at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base.

Colonel Ansted was a charter member of the 1st Satellite Control Squadron, now the 1st Space Operations Squadron. His duties included satellite planner and analyst, crew commander and program lead. He directed hundreds of satellite mission contact, including the first four satellites controlled from Falcon AFB upon launch.

Soon after assuming command of the 310th, Colonel Ansted made a pledge to 20th Air Force mobilization assistant Brig. Gen. Frank Casserino, Colonel Griffin and the members of 310th SG.

“My pledge ... is that I will build on your foundation and take it to the next level,” Colonel Ansted said.

“I can’t say enough how proud I am to be your commander. When I left active duty in 1992, I thought my time in the military was done, but (General Casserino and Colonel Griffin) brought me back in,” he said.

“To the active-duty folks: we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Just keep us pointed in the right direction, and we’ll do all we can to help you,” Colonel Ansted added.

After the ceremony, members of the 310th lined up along the JNIC’s entrance to give Colonel Griffin and his wife, Shannon, a salute as they departed.

General Casserino expressed faith in Colonel Ansted’s ability to lead the 310th SG into the future.

“You have a good young man who’s taking control of the 310th ... and we have a good old man who’s leaving,” the general said with a grin.

“You’ve served this commander well,” the general said. “Please treat the new commander just as well.” 

Colonel Griffin shared General Casserino’s sentiments and shared a quote from former president Theodore Roosevelt.

“‘There is more to be feared from an army of deer led by a lion than from an army of lions led by a deer.’ We have some real lions in our leadership,” he said.

Colonel Ansted was the 310th SG deputy commander from 2003 to 2005. His other previous assignments include Future Systems operations officer, Aerospace Fusion Center staff officer at the Space Warfare Center here, and 8th Space Warning Squadron commander at Buckley AFB, Colo.

He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree. His other degrees include a master of arts degree in space systems management from Webster University in St. Louis.

Colonel Ansted’s awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, a Combat Readiness Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. He also wears a Master Space Badge.

The 310th SG has won three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards since it activated Sept. 4, 1997. The group will stand up a unit at Patrick AFB, Fla., later this year. By October, the group will have approximately 1,000 new Airmen.