HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — Lt. Col. Justin Raynor assumed command of the 505th Communications Squadron during a June 18 change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field.
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Col. Terry Hjerpe, commander of the 505th Combat Training Group, presided over the ceremony, transferring command from Lt. Col. Crystal Lusardi to Lt. Col. Raynor. The 505th Communications Squadron, known as the “Flyin’ Lions,” operates command-and-control systems, communications networks, and modeling capabilities that support joint and coalition training worldwide.
During the ceremony, Col. Hjerpe praised Lt. Col. Lusardi for her leadership during the past two years.
“CL is the perfect example of someone who always puts the team first,” Hjerpe said.
“You and the ‘Flying Lions’ overcame obstacles with creativity and persistence. You truly left the 505th Communications Squadron better than you found it!”
Col. Hjerpe also praised Lt. Col. Raynor’s background in academia, space systems, and joint cyber operations.
“Justin, as both an instructor and leader, you are perfectly suited to tackle the challenges and complexity that the 505th CS experiences every day,” Hjerpe said.
“You are the right leader for the future of this squadron. I have no doubt you will propel the ‘Flyin Lions’ to greater heights.”
According to the Air Force, during her two-year tenure, Lt. Col. Lusardi led modernization efforts that expanded advanced mission networks, developed a releasable Five Eyes systems suite, and completed a migration to a high-capacity communications backbone supporting joint and coalition forces.
“In the past two years, our team has worked tirelessly to drive the advancement of our mission capabilities to support high-end exercises across the globe,” Lt. Col. Lusardi said.
“Through all these efforts, the ‘Flyin’ Lions’ have delivered a relevant and ever-evolving, combat-realistic environment to ensure our warfighters train as they fight to achieve decision advantage.”
Lt. Col. Lusardi also emphasized the role cybersecurity plays in mission success.
“Cybersecurity isn’t the brakes that slow the mission down. It is the brakes that allow the mission to go fast, safely,” Lt. Col. Lusardi said. “Securing and defending our enclave is not a part-time job; it is the foundation of mission assurance.”
Lt. Col. Lusardi will become deputy commander of the 96th Mission Support Group at Eglin Air Force Base.
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Lt. Col. Raynor comes to Hurlburt Field from Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, where he served as a cyber battle captain and director of the Joint Operations Center for U.S. Cyber Command. A developmental engineer with a doctorate in cybersecurity, he has experience in cyber operations, space systems, and acquisition.
According to the Air Force, Lt. Col. Raynor plans to work closely with air operations center counterparts to ensure the squadron’s networks continue to mirror real-world combat environments while advancing the unit’s cyber capabilities.
“My immediate expectations for our team are to remain laser focused on our mission, to actively contribute, to improve how we communicate and translate technical information into operational decision making, and to always ‘look up’ and remember the context in which we work,” Lt. Col. Raynor said.
“Fully embrace the opportunity that we have in this squadron and fully believe in our mission.”
The 505th Communications Squadron is a subordinate unit of the 505th Combat Training Group and supports command and control training for joint and coalition forces worldwide.
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