CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 437th Security Forces Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 26 at the Charleston Club.
Maj. Christopher Callis, who is a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Spanish speaking, at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Fort Benning, Ga., replaced Lt. Col. Seth McKee as commander.
Colonel McKee is headed to Dyess AFB, Texas, where he will assume command of the 7th Security Forces Squadron.
Major Callis graduated from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. He was commissioned into the Air Force in 1996 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. .
What jobs did you perform before you became commander?
I've spent most of my time in the Air Force as a security forces operations officer. I've also worked on the Air Staff with the security forces directorate.
What are your initial plans as the new commander?
My initial plans are to become acquainted with the 437th Security Force Squadron and the 437th Airlift Wing. From there I will chart a course as to how the 437 SFS will best continue to support Charleston AFB as well as the joint and coalition efforts in the area of responsibility.
What is the goal and mission of your agency?
Provide the law and order, physical security, force protection and the associated administrative programs necessary to ensure a safe operating environment for Charleston AFB, its Airmen, civilians and their families. Our mission is to also prepare our security forces Airmen to continue supporting the joint and coalition efforts.
What are your expectations of your Airmen?
Know their job and do their job while being courteous, firm and professional. Take care of themselves and take care of their fellow defenders.
What was your most memorable assignment and why?
The 24th Security Forces Squadron at Howard AFB, Panama. My first son was born there. In the 24 SFS we had a horse patrol as well as many K-9 teams for nightly jungle patrols. We also worked closely with the Army and Marines and were directly supporting the counterdrug missions.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I speak fluent Spanish and have just recently graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Benning, Ga., where the course was taught completely in Spanish.
What is your favorite movie?
Jeremiah Johnson
What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
Dirty weapons, posts, vehicles and facilities
What is your favorite quote?
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt
Runner-up
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
- George Patton
Who is your role model and why?
George Washington. An inspired man who created an army out of nothing, and overcame incredible odds with leadership, ingenuity and determination.