An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hail and farewell to communications group leaders

  • Published
  • By Col. Gary Goldstone
  • 375th Airlift Wing commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Just under two years ago, on a warm day in July, Team Scott welcomed Col. Curt Pointkowsky and his family, and extended the challenge to command one of the most demanding communications groups in Air Mobility Command in one of the most complex wings across the Air Force. 

Under his command, members of the 375th Communications Group--comprised of the Communications Squadron, the Communications Support Squadron, and the Plans and Requirements Flight--have provided world class communications and information technology support to the U.S. Transportation Command, AMC, the Army's Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, three flying wings and 66 tenant units all located at Scott. And, it doesn't stop there--the 375th CG supports communications operations across all AMC bases, as well as command and control system sites around the world. 

During his command, the wing began a large-scale initiative to combine the computer networks of USTRANSCOM, AMC and SDDC into one robust warfighting weapons system. This joint networking project is setting the example for future DoD-wide projects of this nature, and the consolidation efforts saves tax payer dollars. 

Through another consolidation project, his team led the way in establishing a "one-stop-comm-shop" that streamlined help desk and user support operations at one location for the customer. This effort not only provided convenience to the customer, but it also slashed trouble ticket backlog by 83 percent! That's Enabling Combat Power! 

Colonel Piontkowsky has also led the development of several software programs that save our people and organizations time, funds, and effort. Their work makes processes more efficient and allows for better customer service. His teams designed systems to track passengers and cargo with real-time reporting. They have supported AMC's annual RODEO competition, and they have improved how we do our day-to-day business. 

Colonel Piontkowsky and his wife, Carole, will be missed, but he's not far as he moves over to be the vice commander at the Air Force Communications Agency, soon to be re-designated as the Air Force Network Integration Center under Air Force Space Command. 

And just in time to help us celebrate our nation's birthday, we are fortunate to welcome Col. Dennis "Joe" Simpson and his wife, De, to beautiful Illinois and the Greater Scott Community. Colonel Simpson comes to us from Air Combat Command, where he served as the chief of the operations support division, delivering operational cyber solutions supporting combat operations world-wide. 

He has had a diverse career, spanning from software programming at the Air Force Personnel Center, to serving in the 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron. He later went on to command two squadrons, to include the 8th Communications Squadron, Republic of Korea, and later brought his expertise to the Air Staff. He brings the right combination of cyber expertise and the warrior spirit to lead our communications group to continued greatness. 

There is no rest where cyber security is concerned and the Air Force continues to place greater emphasis on how best to secure and maintain our networks. Scott serves as the computer network center of gravity for AMC so they depend on us to provide reliable communications for all mobility functions. He will continue to work the joint-service network consolidation efforts and help lead us toward a more secure and robust cyber infrastructure and ace our Enhanced Compliance Visit Inspection this month as well as prepare us for the March 2010 Operational Readiness Inspection. 

I thank both these men for their fine service, and wish to extend to all at home or abroad, my gratitude for your continued service in the defense of this great nation. Please be safe as you enjoy this extended weekend and take a few moments to reflect upon those who dedicated their lives to building this nation. There are many who sacrificed so we can exercise the precious freedoms we enjoy today. Let's not take that for granted or let the day go by without a thought to those who came before or to those who are still on the battlefront holding the line.