Chief Master Sgt. Mark Stagray stands at parade rest during the base change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

AURORA | Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora has a new leader.

In a ceremony Thursday morning at the base, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner.

Col. John W. Wagner assumed command of the 460th Space Wing during a change-of-command ceremony June 12, 2014, at the multipurpose field on base. Wagner, who previously led the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and the Joint Space Operations Center, Vandenberg AFB, California; replaced Col. Dan Wright, who has served as 460th SW commander since June 2013. FILE PHOTO BY US AIR FORCE
Col. John W. Wagner assumed command of the 460th Space Wing during a change-of-command ceremony June 12, 2014, at the multipurpose field on base. Wagner, who previously led the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and the Joint Space Operations Center, Vandenberg AFB, California; replaced Col. Dan Wright, who has served as 460th SW commander since June 2013. FILE PHOTO BY US AIR FORCE

Wright had been at the helm at Buckley since last summer. Typically, base commanders serve for about two years, but command changed hands earlier than normal this time because Wright was chosen to run the Air Force’s Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, a high-security space command facility located inside Buckley.

Like Wright, Wagner has a background in space operations. Before coming to Buckley, he served as commander of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Lt. Gen. John Raymond, 14th Air Force commander, oversaw Thursday’s change of command and said Wagner was “custom built” to run Buckley.

Col. John W. Wagner assumed command of the 460th Space Wing during a change-of-command ceremony June 12, 2014, at the multipurpose field on base. Wagner, who previously led the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and the Joint Space Operations Center, Vandenberg AFB, California; replaced Col. Dan Wright, who has served as 460th SW commander since June 2013. FILE PHOTO BY US AIR FORCE
Military Working Dog Jeja keeps guard during Buckley Air Force’s base change of command ceremony June 12 at Buckley’s Parade Field. During the ceremony Thursday morning, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagne. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Command Chief of the 460th Space Wing Craig Hall makes sure the base flag doesn’t touch the ground June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Command Chief of the 460th Space Wing Craig Hall holds the base flag while waiting for the change of command ceremony to begin June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Airforce servicemembers wait to be called to attention before the base change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Officers stand at ease at the back of formation during the base change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. Michael Kindt, commander of the 460th Medical Group, salutes the American Flag during the base change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. Dan Wright thanks a senior leader for her service after inspecting ranks during the base change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. Dan Wright prepares to hand over command of Buckley Air Force Base June 12 at the parade field. During the change of command ceremony, Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. Dan Wright (left) talks to the future base commander Col. John Wagner (right) during the change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. Typically, base commanders serve for about two years, but command changed hands earlier than normal this time because Wright was chosen to run the Air Force’s Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, a high-security space command facility located inside Buckley. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Chief Master Sgt. Mark Stagray stands at parade rest during the base change of command ceremony June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. During the change of command ceremony, Col. Dan Wright handed over command of Buckley to Col. John Wagner. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. Dan Wright (middle right) hands over the base flag, officially giving up command, June 12 at the parade field on Buckley Air Force Base. Typically, base commanders serve for about two years, but command changed hands earlier than normal this time because Wright was chosen to run the Air Force’s Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, a high-security space command facility located inside Buckley. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. John Wagner (middle right) happily takes command of Buckley Air Force Base during the change of command ceremony on June 12 at the parade field. Wagner has a background in space operations. Before coming to Buckley, he served as commander of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)
Col. John Wagner addresses his new service members during the change of command ceremony on June 12 at the parade field. Wagner has a background in space operations. Before coming to Buckley, he served as commander of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Raymond said the mission at Buckley — which includes using satellites to track missiles around the world in real-time and relaying that information to troops in combat zones — is an increasingly important one. Last year, Raymond said Buckley saw a 24-percent spike in its missions.

“This is an extremely vital mission and I can assure you today the mission is in good hands,” he said.

Wright’s year as the commander at Buckley included some hurdles for the base, including budget cuts that lead to furloughs for civilian staff and a government shutdown that meant Wright couldn’t operate as he normally would. Wright said that included having to figure out how to purchase toilet paper for the base during the week-long shutdown of the government.

At the same time all that was happening, the Air Force’s needs for the types of missile warning and space operations that happen at Buckley only climbed. Wright said there was a three-month stretch during his stint as commander that was the busiest three months in the base’s history.