New Eglin Commander Holds All Call

In Brief:

Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro outlined his leadership philosophy focused on mission execution, personnel care, and partnerships during his first all-call as 96th Test Wing commander.
Massaro discussed the potential reorganization of Eglin’s 96th Test Wing as part of the Air Force’s broader reoptimization efforts.
The commander encouraged Airmen to reflect on their purpose and role in the mission as the base prepares for possible structural changes.

Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, the new commander of the 96th Test Wing, marked his return to Eglin Air Force Base with his first all-call on August 29, sharing his leadership vision and potential structural changes ahead.

A native Floridian and former member of Eglin’s 40th Flight Test Squadron, Massaro spoke passionately about the importance of family and the sense of coming home. His leadership philosophy centers on three key principles: executing the mission, taking care of people, and fostering successful partnerships.

“We have to maximize the value of each person we have available to us to execute the mission,” said Massaro, a Clearwater native with 26 years of Air Force service.

Massaro connected these principles to Eglin’s critical role in national defense, highlighting the base’s involvement in electromagnetic spectrum operations and munitions development. He underscored the need to advance new capabilities, moving them from developmental stages to fully operational tools for combat readiness.

“These areas are the programs and operational capabilities we need to get after,” Massaro said. “Once they reach that stage, we hand them over to the warfighter. Then they become what we as Airmen and Guardians use to execute the mission.”

The commander also addressed the Air Force’s ongoing reoptimization efforts, which could lead to significant reorganizations within the 96th Test Wing. Currently classified as an institutional wing, the unit’s test mission is not traditionally seen as deployable. However, Massaro hinted at the possibility of separating operations and support functions into distinct wings, a structure reminiscent of the base’s configuration before 2012.

“There are discussions right now with Air Force Chief of Staff and Air Force Materiel Command level about this specific topic,” Massaro said. “We will communicate more information as we get it when it’s clearer what an institutional wing and a base command will look like and how it affects unit action.”

Massaro concluded his address with a call to reflection, urging his Airmen to consider the broader purpose of their service. He left them with three key questions to ponder: Why do we serve? How do we make it happen? What do we do?

“Think about how these apply to you and your wingman,” he said. “Each one of us, active-duty, civilian, contractor, are all critical to this mission. You all have value to this organization throughout whatever changes that may occur in the next few years.”