JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Col. Richard McComb took command of the 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston during a change of command ceremony July 14 at JB CHS - Air Base. McComb was previously the Chief, Security Forces Division, Directorate of Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Il.

McComb officially assumed command from the outgoing joint base commander, Col. Martha Meeker. She will be assuming the duties as Special Assistant to the Commander, U.S. European Command, and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium.

McComb was born in Neubruecke, West Germany. A graduate of Columbus State University, Columbus, Ga., he received his commission in 1988. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy and the Air Command and Staff College. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Administrative Management from the University of Maryland as well as master degrees in Military Operational Art and Science and National Security Strategy.

McComb has served in a variety of duty positions within the security forces career field including: Flight Security Officer, 857th Missile Security Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D., Operations Officer, 10th Security Police Squadron, Royal Air Force Alconbury, United Kingdom, Commander, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Southwest Asia, and Assistant for Antiterrorism Policy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities at the Pentagon.

Addressing the 628 ABW one last time, Meeker said, "This is a bitter sweet moment as I stand up here getting ready to turn over the command to Richard McComb, but I know this wing and this installation as a Joint Base has come to age in the past 18 months."

U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, Brig. Gen. William Bender, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the accomplishments of JB CHS during Meeker's tenure.

"The record of performance achieved and the goals met under her leadership have not been short of phenomenal," he said. "Leadership begins in the heart, and this command for Martha Meeker has truly been a labor of love."

Bender presented Meeker with the Legion of Merit for her outstanding leadership. Meeker than relinquished her command as the unit's guidon passed to McComb.

After assuming command and receiving his first salute as the commanding officer of JB CHS, McComb said, "Thank you for your warm welcome that started well before my wife and I got here to Charleston earlier this week.

"I assure you that together we will continue to support and provide everything that you and your families need so that you can provide that same superb installation support this command has come to be known for."

McComb closed his remarks by saying, "We look forward to meeting each and every one of you during the upcoming weeks and we are pleased to be part of the JB CHS command team."