The 50th Space Wing welcomed new leadership during a change-of-command ceremony held here July 11 at 9 a.m. Col. William J. Liquori took over the wing's reigns from previous commander, Col. James P. Ross.

"I thank you for the absolutely outstanding manner in which you executed your mission," said Ross.

"Our mission is to command satellites and deliver decisive global effects. This wing wields the vast majority of space power that Gen. [William] Shelton refers to when he says Air Force Space Command provides capability that is foundational to our national defense."

Liquori returns to Schriever after serving as a Chief of Staff of the Air Force fellow including duty as the director of space policy implementation in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

He was also previously assigned as a senior satellite operations crew commander with the 3rd Space Operations Squadron here.

"Men and women of the 50th Space Wing, thank you for the incredible welcome that you have provided to our family," said Liquori. "We are excited to join this team. I am amazed at how far you and your predecessors have brought this base and this wing since I was last stationed here."

Prior to assuming command, Liquori served in a variety of leadership positions and his career has included numerous satellite operations and staff positions in Air Force Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office and the Air Force Secretariat.

He is also a graduate and former instructor of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. He commanded the Space Operations at the Aerospace Data Facility - Colorado at Buckley AFB.

As commander of the 50th Space Wing, Liquori is responsible for more than 5,600 military, Department of Defense civilians and contractor personnel serving at 12 operating locations worldwide, in support of more than 150 communications, navigation and surveillance satellites with their associated systems valued at more than $66 billion.

Liquori also serves as the installation commander and as such hosts approximately 20 mission partners whose combined economic impact is around $1 billion.

"Our nation and our allies count on you daily to command satellites to deliver decisive global effects - and you always deliver," said Liquori.

"I pledge to give you my very best, every single day and to work side-by-side with you to meet the challenges in the coming years. Keep up the great work and continue to take pride in what you do. No one does it better. You are truly the 'Masters of Space.'"

After two years in command here and more than 24 years of service, Ross is retiring in a ceremony July 12.