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Staff Sgt. David Diehl II, 436th Communications Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wing cybersecurity, displays his new United States Space Force tapes and service branch patch at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 12, 2021. Diehl was one of three members of Team Dover accepted into the U.S. Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mauricio Campino)

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1st Lt. John McGrady, 436th Communications Squadron cyber operations flight commander, takes the oath of office commissions in the United States Space Force at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 12, 2021. McGrady became Dover’s very first Space Force Guardian. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mauricio Campino)

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As his first act as a newly commissioned United States Space Force officer, 1st Lt. John McGrady, 436th Communications Squadron cyber operations flight commander, administers the oath of enlistment to Staff Sgt. David Diehl II, 436th Communications Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wing cybersecurity, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 12, 2021. The Airmen applied to join the Space Force in 2020 and were accepted in early 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mauricio Campino)

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1st Lt. John McGrady, 436th Communications Squadron cyber operations flight commander, administers the oath of enlistment to Senior Airman Michael Hack, 436th Communications Squadron client systems technician, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 12, 2021. McGrady’s first act as a newly commissioned Space Force officer was to administer the oath of enlistment for two Airmen in his squadron who were also accepted into the U.S. Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mauricio Campino)

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From left, 1st Lt. John McGrady, 436th Communications Squadron cyber operations flight commander, Staff Sgt. David Diehl II, 436th Communications Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of wing cybersecurity and Senior Airman Michael Hack, 436th Communications Squadron client systems technician, stand at the conclusion of their commissioning and enlistment ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Feb. 12, 2021. The three members of Team Dover became the base’s first Space Force Guardians and will be reassigned to a Space Force command later this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mauricio Campino)

Dover’s First Space Force Guardians

Published Feb. 26, 2021
By Mauricio Campino, 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --

Three members of the 436th Communications Squadron were recently accepted into the U.S. Space Force. During a ceremony attended by Team Dover unit leaders, coworkers, friends and family held Feb. 11, 2021, 1st Lt. John McGrady, cyber operations flight commander; Staff Sgt. David Diehl II, noncommissioned officer in charge of wing cybersecurity; and Senior Airman Michael Hack, client systems technician, raised their right hands and became Dover Air Force Base’s first Space Force Guardians.

While certain Air Force careers that fell under the U.S. Air Force Space Command have already transitioned, careers in intelligence, cyber, acquisitions and engineering gave Airmen the opportunity to choose to transition. Only two Air Force specialty fields at Dover AFB, intelligence and cyberspace operations, qualified to transition at this time.

“I first heard about the Space Force in tech school and I thought it was interesting but I didn’t apply until the winter of 2019/2020,” said McGrady.

A total of eight Airmen from the 436th CS applied, and six were accepted.

“That’s huge considering they were competing with applicants from across the entire Air Force,” said McGrady.

Three of the six Airmen moved on to other duty stations before being notified of their selection. The remaining three were sworn in during the ceremony.

“We … are very fortunate to witness such a special moment in Team Dover history,” said Col. Matthew Jones, 436th Airlift Wing commander.

McGrady became Dover AFB's very first Guardian after taking the oath of office, administered by Lt.Col. Peter Dell’Accio, 436th CS commander. McGrady’s first act as a newly commissioned Space Force officer was to administer the oath of enlistment for the other two Airmen in his squadron.

“It was an honor and a privilege to administer their oath. I’ve had the good fortune of working with them, and they’re both amazing Airmen,” said McGrady.

The newly minted Guardians will continue to serve with the 436th CS while donning the Space Force nametapes. They will receive new assignments later this year to Space Force locations.

The Space Force was established within the Department of the Air Force. If you are interested in transferring to the Space Force, more information can be found at https://www.spaceforce.mil.