New commander leads 71st CS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Command of the 71st Communications Squadron changed hands during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Vance Club.
Maj. David Snoddy accepted leadership of the squadron from Maj. Richard Folks.
Major Snoddy comes to Team Vance from Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He said he looked forward to leading the squadron and supporting the wing and Air Force.
"Command is a precious opportunity in our Air Force and is therefore an opportunity I do not take lightly," he said. "I will work to the utmost of my ability to prove worthy of this honor.
"It is quite evident that through Major Folks' vision and leadership, the 71st Communications Squadron has operated as a world-class organization capable of not only meeting, but often times exceeding, all requirements placed before it. In my humble opinion, there is no better place to work than at squadron level where the real work gets done. I look forward to every opportunity we will have to support the mission of Vance AFB and the broader mission of our Air Force."
Major Snoddy graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, with a bachelor of arts degree in technology with a minor in psychology in 1992. Upon graduation, he received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He received a master of science degree in information resources management from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1996. In 2005, he received a master of military operational art and science from the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College.
Since his commissioning, Major Snoddy held various positions at the squadron, group, wing, intermediate headquarters and Air Staff levels. His professional experiences include executive services, architecture planning, network operations and mission systems maintenance. His tactical experience includes service with Joint Task Force-Southwest Asia's Joint Intelligence Center during Operation Southern Watch.
Major Snoddy's major decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Major Folks departs for Washington, D.C., to serve on the joint staff.
"I've made great memories here, and the squadron has accomplished so much as a team," he said. "To the squadron, thank you -- it's been a privilege to serve each and every one of you. To Major Snoddy, you're getting a great squadron; enjoy every minute of it. For you, the squadron motto 'No one else comes close,' is about to have special meaning for you."