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New 195th Operations Group Commander returns to the Wing where his Guard career began
by Senior Airman Melanie L. Nolen
195th Wing, California Air National Guard
VAN NUYS, Calif. – The California Air National Guard’s 195th Wing is composed of a diverse set of squadrons, and it takes a unique blend of experience and knowledge about space operations, cyberspace protection and combat communications to lead effectively. The 195th is strategically preparing for another round of change and growth.
The 195th Operations Group command changed to Col. Jason “3Dog” Knight, former commander of the 195th Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Group (ISRG), from Col. James C. Scott, who was also the acting 195th Wing vice commander, on June 10, 2021, at Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, California.
“There are definitely lessons that I have learned at the ISRG that I intend to bring with me to the OG, but this move is also a return home for me.”
U.S. Air Force Col. Jason “3Dog” Knight
“There are definitely lessons that I have learned at the ISRG that I intend to bring with me to the OG, but this move is also a return home for me,” said Knight. “I started my Guard career in the 148th Space Operations Squadron and helped stand up the 216th Space Control Squadron when I was a young captain.”
Knight’s National Guard career has also included more than one assignment in Washington D.C., in a variety of roles at the Pentagon including Director of Staff for National Guard Bureau Space Operations. He had a hand in areas such as manpower and Space National Guard Concept of Operations development and provided strategic guidance and support to the NGB Space Operations senior leadership.
Lt. Col. Jeremy “Backpack” Peralta, deputy commander of the 195th OG since the group was first created, is eager to see Knight use his NGB, Pentagon and intel leadership experience to bring his strategic space mindset to future missions.
“Our former commanders, Col. Hire and Col. Scott, phenomenally led the 195th OG’s growth to an unprecedented level. Col. Knight’s leadership will be key as we work with the personnel we’ve put in place to streamline our processes, as we posture our units toward the Space Force and still provide a consistent, ready force for both state and federal missions.”
U.S. Air Force Col. James C. Scott, 195th Wing vice commander, former 195th OG commander, addresses the audience at the change of command ceremony for the 195th OG, June 10, 2021, at Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, California. The 195th Wing is composed of a diverse set of squadrons spread throughout the state of California with missions spanning space operations, cyberspace protection, and combat communications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie L. Nolen)
U.S. Air Force Col. James C. Scott, 195th Wing vice commander, former 195th OG commander, addresses the audience at the change of command ceremony for the 195th OG, June 10, 2021, at Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, California. The 195th Wing is composed of a diverse set of squadrons spread throughout the state of California with missions spanning space operations, cyberspace protection, and combat communications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie L. Nolen)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeants assigned to the 195th Wing assemble for the 195th OG change of command ceremony, June 10, 2021, at Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, California. The 195th Wing is composed of a diverse set of squadrons spread throughout the state of California with missions spanning space operations, cyberspace protection, and combat communications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie L. Nolen)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeants assigned to the 195th Wing assemble for the 195th OG change of command ceremony, June 10, 2021, at Sepulveda Air National Guard Station, Van Nuys, California. The 195th Wing is composed of a diverse set of squadrons spread throughout the state of California with missions spanning space operations, cyberspace protection, and combat communications. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie L. Nolen)
The diverse missions of the 195th Wing, which include Cyber-ISR, Space-ISR, Distributed Common Ground System-ISR, On Orbit and Deployable space operations, cyberspace protection and combat communications, place the wing in a very unique position to deliver increased operational capacity to the US Space Force and US Space Command in the near future, said Knight.
“In a year, I am very hopeful that within the next NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), we will see the Space National Guard turn on,” Knight said. “Space Force and Air Force leadership understand the value of the Guard and what the Guard brings to the fight so I am hopeful Congress and specifically the Senate sees that, as well.”
It is the 195th’s goal to make sure that they can meet all of their current operational obligations including unit deployments and activations down range while simultaneously remaining ready to support local and state missions as those needs arise, Knight said.
“The Guard has been super busy for a really long time and we’ve got to make sure we continue to serve our state needs while all of this other stuff continues to progress in the background,” said Knight. “As a leader, I want to inspire a culture within our Operations Group that comes from a position of saying ‘yes, and here is how’ vs ‘no, and here is why’.”
“As a leader, I want to inspire a culture within our Operations Group that comes from a position of saying ‘yes, and here is how’ vs ‘no, and here is why’.”
U.S. Air Force Col. Jason “3Dog” Knight
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