Scott welcomes new DISA CONUS commander Published Aug. 5, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Melissa Estevez 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Col. Paul Craft succeeded Col. Nora Marcos as Commander of the Defense Information Systems Agency, Continental United States, July 31 at the Scott Club. During the ceremony the command senior enlisted leader passed the guidon to the outgoing commander, Marcos, she passed it to Larry Huffman, Director, DISA Center for Operations, which signified the return of responsibility to which she was entrusted when assuming command. Huffman then passed it to Craft, the incoming commander, marking the beginning of his command of DISA CONUS. "We have a great leader coming in," said Huffman. "I'm proud of what he has done and I have great confidence that he will lead this brigade." Marcos thanked family, friends, co-workers, the band and everyone in attendance. "You are all much more than civilians, contractors and servicemembers; you are an amazing team that will not stand for mediocrity, you are a dedicated team that embraces a critical part of our mission statement," said Marcos. "You have led, shaped, and defined the DISA headquarters and the entire DISA organization globally." During the ceremony, Marcos expressed her confidence in Craft's ability to shepherd DISA CONUS' mission to secure, responsive, assured global communication services. "Paul Craft is absolutely the right officer for the right time to move DISA CONUS forward," said Marcos. "The depth in previous operational knowledge and relationships he has with the operational community makes him qualified to lead this great team." Craft is a native of Piqua, Ohio, and entered the Army as a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps in 1993. Craft commanded 86th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, deploying unit as part of 2010-2011 surge serving as Signal Task Force Commander for all Army communications units in southern and western Afghanistan and as the J-6, US Forces-Afghanistan. Upon return Craft assisted with base realignment and closure with the 86th Signal Battalion to Fort Bliss, Texas, where the unit supported the Department of Homeland Security operations. Following command, he served as the Department of the Army Chief Information Officer/G-6's Chief of Strategic Initiatives Group in Washington, D.C. Addressing the personnel in his new command for the first time, Craft affirmed the pride he takes in their service. Craft said, "I know I have big shoes to fill, I am certainly excited and I am looking forward to this opportunity to lead the finest civilians, contractors and service members that we have here at DISA CONUS."