CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 437th Civil Engineer Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 26 at the Charleston Club.
Lt. Col. Richard Sanders, the former 51st Civil Engineer Squadron deputy commander at Osan Air Base, Korea, replaced Lt. Col. Jeffrey Todd as commander.
Colonel Todd will become the 611th Air Support Group deputy commander at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
Colonel Sanders graduated from Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Mi., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned into the Air Force in November 1993 upon graduation from Officer Training School as a distinguished graduate.
What jobs did you perform before you became commander?
Several! In order: deputy squadron command at Osan Air Base, Korea; student at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; readiness plans branch chief and command housing program manager at Hickam AFB, Hawaii; environmental flight commander, fighter wing executive officer and host nation funded construction chief at Misawa Air Base, Japan; intern at the Pentagon; and readiness flight commander, maintenance engineering chief and mechanical flight commander at Holloman AFB, N.M., and communications-computer systems officer at Gunter Annex, Ala.
What are your initial plans as the new commander?
My first priority is to get to know the Airmen and civilians in the squadron and find out if they have any shortfalls or roadblocks. I'm here to give them the tools, training and direction to do their job and complete the mission. Long term and in general, I want to leave the squadron a better place than when I arrived.
What is the goal and mission of your agency?
The 437 CES mission is one of the most diverse on Charleston. We provide design, construction, maintenance and repair activities on 6,481 acres, 253 facilities, four runways and associated pavements. We provide fire protection services for both aircraft crash and rescue and structural firefighting. We provide 726 housing units as well as environmental protection, compliance and restoration. Additionally, we provide disaster preparedness, emergency management and nuclear, biological and chemical support. Finally, we provide explosive ordnance disposal worldwide, along with Department of Defense and presidential support. All of this will increase greatly once Joint Base Charleston is stood up.
What are your expectations of your Airmen?
Professionalism; do what is technically correct, efficiently and effectively. Responsiveness; do what is asked, communicate the costs. Loyalty; once a decision is made, be a zealot, not a martyr. Assertiveness; don't walk by problems. Innovativeness; limited resources demand it. To take care of themselves and their families, and in everything, integrity and safety.
What was your most memorable assignment and why?
My assignments to Japan and Korea were great, but my most memorable was to
Hickam AFB, Hawaii. I loved the monotony of perfect weather!
What is an interesting fact about you?
When I graduated from college, a friend and I rode our bicycles to his house ... a little over 400 miles in four days.
What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
Bad assumptions. For example, when someone assumes I'll give them the secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices to the famous fried chicken ... it's just not gonna happen.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite changes with the times, but my current favorite is: "History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid." - Gen. Dwight Eisenhower