New commander leads National Air and Space Intelligence Center

  • Published
  • By Rob Young
  • NASIC Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Col. D. Scott George assumed command of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) June 17 from Col. Karen A. Cleary, who will become the director of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance at Air Force Space Command Peterson AFB, Colo. 

A ceremony held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's Modern Flight Gallery allowed NASIC personnel and special guests to witness the change of command, welcome Colonel George and pay special tribute to Cleary, who served as the NASIC commander since July 2006. 

Maj. Gen. Craig Koziol, commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency, presided over the ceremony .

"The accomplishments of NASIC in the last two years are endless," Koziol said, praising Cleary's command, adding that "under her watch, NASIC has expanded advanced imagery, MASINT and other specialized intelligence products." These efforts directly resulted in "several high value targets either captured or killed and numerous weapons caches found." 

In remarks before the change of command Cleary said of her time at NASIC, "When I pause to reflect on our great accomplishments, I will always think first of this Center of leaders, forging ahead on the Nation's tough intelligence problems, whose dedication and plain hard work are making significant impacts from the White House to the warfighter." 

She said in closing, "NASIC's capabilities and accomplishments have little to do with the tools and equipment, the resources we've been given, or the responsibilities we've been assigned; they have everything to do with the caliber of our people. 

George is coming to NASIC from commanding the 17th Training Group at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Prior to that, he was an Air Force Fellow to the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California and executive officer at both 5th Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff's intelligence (J2) organization. He also commanded the 390th Intelligence Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan. 

Koziol stated that "Col. George's intelligence background will serve himself and NASIC well when handling the unique and specialized intelligence products you are responsible for." 

After taking command of the Center George told the attendees, "As a member of the NASIC team you should wake up every day knowing that what you do impacts our culture and secures our future way of life for family, friends and all Americans." He closed by telling his new command, "I am truly honored and humbled to lead this organization."