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Stotts assumes AFIWC reins

Col. Richard Stotts assumed command of the Air Force Information Warfare Center during recent ceremonies on Kelly’s “Security Hill.”

Stotts succeeds Col. James Massaro, who is the commander-designate of Air Intelligence Agency’s 67th Intelligence Wing, also at Kelly.

A 23-year Air Force veteran, Stotts is no stranger to San Antonio, having graduated from Officer Training School at Lackland AFB’s Medina Annex in 1976 and from 1991-1993 as a member of the plans and requirements division and later as executive officer for the commander of AIA’s predecessor organizations, the Electronic Security Command and Air Force Intelligence Command. In 1995, he returned to Medina Annex as director of operations for the Medina Regional SIGINT Operations Center.

He comes to Kelly from Stuttgart, Germany where he served as the director of intelligence plans at U.S. European Command headquarters.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology in 1974 from Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.; a master of science degree in counseling from the University of LaVerne, La Verne, Calif.; and a master of science degree in national security strategy from National War College. He is also a graduate of the Air Force’s Squadron Officer School and Armed Forces Staff College.

A master navigator, Stotts has more than 2,300 flying hours in all models of the C-135 aircraft. His awards and decorations include two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, five Meritorious Service Medals, six Air Medals and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

A major component of AIA, the 1,200-person AFIWC’s mission is to explore, and apply offensive and defensive information warfare capabilities for operations, acquisition and testing, as well as providing Information Warfare training for the Air Force.

The change of command ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. John R. Baker, AIA commander.