LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airmen from the 47th Communications Squadron (CS) gathered at XL Landings to witness a transition of leadership as Lt. Col. Elmer Lustina relinquished command to Maj. Anthony Dimuzio during a change of command ceremony, June 9, 2025.
Col. Robert Moore, 47th Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony and spoke about Lustina’s leadership and the squadron’s impact across the base.
“This squadron plays a critical role in supporting Laughlin’s $4 million Undergraduate Pilot Training program, from the networks powering simulators and classrooms to the radio systems linking our flightline,” said Moore. “Your work ensures every sortie takes off on time. When cyber threats hit or systems falter, you respond with professionalism and poise. The Communications Squadron is the digital backbone of Team XL.”
The 47th Communications Squadron provides 24/7 support for Laughlin’s command, control, communications and cyber infrastructure. The squadron maintains more than 4,000 information technology assets and 200 miles of copper and fiber cabling valued at over $10 million. The squadron is also responsible for cybersecurity operations, radio and telephone systems and compliance with federal information policy, including the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act programs.
Lustina assumed command on June 21, 2023. During his tenure, the squadron implemented digital infrastructure upgrades across base facilities, secured enterprise-level cyber initiatives and improved response times for troubleshooting across all support functions.
Following his time at Laughlin, Lustina’s new assignment will be at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.
“I gave my all over our time together,” said Lustina. “To the Scorpion family, I gave this my all. While there’s always more I wish I could have done, I hope the effort I poured into this squadron was felt and made a difference. You all showed up day after day with grit, care and passion for the mission. That’s what I’ll remember most about my time here, the people.”
The “Scorpion” namesake stems from the squadron’s emblem, symbolizing quick reaction, resilience and defense. Approved in 1982, the emblem reflects the unit’s wartime readiness and digital mission. Today, “Scorpion Nation” represents the Airmen who deliver vital communication support that keeps Laughlin’s pilot training mission running.
Dimuzio steps into command following his prior assignment as the Deputy Director of Cyberspace Operations at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland, where he led planning and incident response efforts across a major command cyber hub. A prior-enlisted cyber operations technician and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Dimuzio brings with him nearly two decades of technical and operational experience.
“I’m excited and humbled to be your leader,” said Dimuzio. “You are true cyber warriors, enabling this wing’s mission day in and day out through secure networks, expert knowledge management, and decisive action in the cyber domain. What you do matters. Every sortie, every system, every signal—you make it happen. It will be up to us to grow our skills, strengthen our cyber posture, and integrate solutions for the wing and the broader Air Force. There will be challenges, some known and some unknown, but I trust you and you can trust me. Let’s dominate. Shoot, move, communicate, and get after it.”
The 47th CS traces its lineage back to January 1, 1965, when it was activated at Laughlin AFB as the 2108th Communications Squadron. Over the decades, the squadron has supported the evolution of Air Force communications from analog lines to advanced cyber infrastructure. It has been recognized with multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and carries a legacy of adaptability and resilience in support of the mission.
“Tony, you’re about to lead the best team on this base,” said Lustina. “The Scorpions won’t let you fail, and I say that not just as a commander, but as someone who’s witnessed their excellence firsthand. I’ve been a part of bigger teams. Teams with more resources, more experience, but none with the grit, camaraderie and heart of the Scorpions. They care deeply for each other and for the mission. That’s what makes them unstoppable.”