Orcutt takes up post as 505th Command and Control Wing commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Members of Team Hurlburt gathered to witness the 505th Command and Control Wing's change command ceremony on Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 9.

Maj. Gen. Jeffery Lofgren, the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, presided over the ceremony during which, Col. Daniel J. Orcutt, former Strategy Division chief of the 609th Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia, received the guidon and command of 505th CCW from Col. Mustafa Koprucu, the outgoing commander.

The 505th CCW is the Air Force's only wing dedicated to operational-level command and control testing, training and tactics development. The Wing's units are distributed across 14 locations in 12 states. The wing is headquartered at Hurlburt Field and supports all branches of the military by providing operational-level command and control training, systems testing, and leads the Air Force in live, virtual and constructive exercise development and support.

"It's tough to say goodbye to [Koprucu] when I know the relentless hours [he] spent in the pursuit of operational excellence in command and control," Lofgren said. "On behalf of the men and women of the United States Air Force Warfare Center and their families I extend to you our deep appreciation, our respect and our very best wishes for clear skies and strong-tailwinds as you depart."

Koprucu's next assignment will be at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Orcutt, a native of Indianapolis, began his service after cross-commissioning in 1991 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

He served in various positions as a KC-10 Extender pilot until November 1997 when he attended F-15E Strike Eagle pilot training, also finishing there as a top graduate.

He has held an array of assignments in his career, including instructor pilot for both the Extender and Strike Eagle, served as a White House fellow, and as a commander for a Strike Eagle squadron and the 48th Operations Group at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath, UK.

"It is a humbling experience to be entrusted with the lives of such outstanding warriors as the men and women standing before us today," Orcutt said. "It is obvious to me Col. Koprucu had a tremendous positive impact on the wing and charted a great course we are honored to continue. My plan is to listen, observe and get up to speed as quickly as possible in order to continue the upward vector Koprucu has the wing on."