613th Support Group inactivated during ceremony at JBPHH

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Members of the 613th Support Group encased their unit flag a final time during an inactivation ceremony here Nov. 8.

The 613th SPTG became operational Dec. 16, 2005, and was comprised of the 17th Operational Weather Squadron and the 56th Air and Space Communications Squadron. The unit provided operational and personnel support to the 13th Air Force mission to plan, command and control, execute, and assess air, space, and information operations in the United States Pacific Command's Area of Operations.

"Today is a tough day for the support group," said Lt. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, 13th Air Force commander, during the ceremony. "This marks the end of just under five years of amazing work, dedication and service accomplished by this relatively young unit. However, in these challenging times of incredibly tight manpower and money constraints, this is the right thing to do."

The 613th SPTG directly supported the 13th Air Force warfighting mission through its assigned squadrons and developed and managed personnel programs in support of assigned personnel. The 613th SPTG provided operational-level communications expertise for the command and control of air, space, information operations for  the commander of the Pacific Air Forces and the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command as well as regional and operational-level air and space weather support.

"Collectively, for the past five years, we -- the CSS, OWS, and ACOMS -- have called ourselves the 'Quiet Professionals,'" said Col. Seth Bretscher, the 613th Support Group commander, who relinquished command during the ceremony. "'Quiet' because what you have done has enabled everyone seated around you and up here on the stage -- you've quietly made them successful. And 'Professionals' because of the operational focus that directly enables every mission we conduct across the span of the PACOM AOR."

"To the 'Quiet Professionals,' remember, the first rule of leadership is 'service' -- service to others, service to those you lead," said Colonel Bretscher. "There is no greater honor to me than allowing me to serve you as your commander. Thank you. God bless you all. God bless the United States of America."

The 613th SPTG's numerous accomplishments include:

· Increased field commanders' visibility of more than 2,000 aircraft tracks by transmitting battle space images to deployed Army Tactical Operations Centers.

· Increased the Joint Force Air Component commander's visibility of more than 21 million miles by consolidating the air picture that links Alaska, Japan, Korea, and China coverage, and drove the air picture upgrade to Guam's Federal Aviations Administration's Feed.

· Consistently produced the highest number of award winners in 13th Air Force quarterly and annual awards.

· The 17th OWS was the 2006 Air Force Weather Squadron of the Year.

"While this marks a strategic pause in the official history of the 613th Support Group, it is a step forward for the history of the 13th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces and the United States Air Force," said General Carlisle.