JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Members of the 315th Maintenance Group welcomed a new commander for their unit during a change of command ceremony Nov. 6, 2016, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Col. Richard Gay relinquished his command of seven years to Col. Sharon Johnson as Gay prepares for his retirement later in the year.
“Our Airmen and [noncommissioned officers] are the best and they have been so successful in their work,” Gay said. “I’m so proud of them and their dedication to their duty.”
Col. Gregory Gilmour, 315th Airlift Wing commander, led the ceremony with opening remarks.
“We’re not a group of individual units here, we’re Team Charleston,” said Gilmour. “When they look for a mission to be done, they know that we will complete it successfully and the maintenance group has been a big part of that confidence.”
As the ceremony continued, Gay passed the guidon to Gilmour, who then presented it to Johnson as the new commander.
“I want our airmen to be valued whether they’re here at home station, or whether they’re out in the community, or whether they’re out there in the Air Force overall,” Johnson said. “I want to make sure every Airman knows they are valued…that’s what I want to leave behind.”
Prior to taking command of the 315th MXG, Johnson was 440th Maintenance Group commander at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina.
The 315th MXG provides training for over 596 Reservists assigned to three diverse units - 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 315th Maintenance Squadron and 315th Maintenance Operations Squadron. Their goal is to maintain proficiency to augment active duty forces in any contingency so C-17 aircraft capability is sustained in support of Joint Base Charleston's global mission.