JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Col. Robert Lyman assumed command of Joint Base Charleston during a change of command ceremony July 14, 2015 at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C.
Lyman accepted command of the wing from Col. Jeffrey DeVore, who has commanded the installation since August 2013.
At his previous assignment, Lyman was the Director of Communication and Chief Information Officer, Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He was responsible for developing and implementing cyberspace plans, policies, and procedures for 62,000 personnel at 12 major installations and numerous worldwide en route mobility support locations.
Maj. Gen. Frederick Martin, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, presided over the ceremony and presented DeVore with the Legion of Merit award for his outstanding leadership.
"One of these great men has completed command and the other is about to assume the reigns of command," said Martin. "Both of these men have what it takes to lead and inspire others. We trust them with our most importance resource ... our people."
Martin listed off many of DeVore's accomplishments while serving Joint Base Charleston, to include 68 team awards at higher headquarters level.
DeVore was also recognized for leading the planning strategy for the first-ever Joint Base Unit Effectiveness Inspection earning a "Highly Effective" mission rating for the Air Base Wing.
Other accomplishments highlighted during the ceremony included resolving several years-long impasses, which resulted in the award of a $158 million construction project for nuclear propulsion training for the United States Navy and Department of Energy, as well as the establishment of an Army plan for staging more than 8,000 vehicles for strategic prepositioning.
During his final comments DeVore stressed how lucky he was to lead the team at Joint Base Charleston and that command is always about people.
DeVore's next assignment is to the Pentagon to become chief of the Global Mobility Division in Washington, D.C., working on the Headquarters Air Force staff.
During the ceremony, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander also gave a warm welcome to Lyman and his family.
"Lyman is as good as they come," said Martin. "He is a servant leader. He demonstrates the power of performance, the passion for the mission, the importance of partnerships, and he understands and values opportunity to serve among your ranks."
Lyman entered the active duty Air Force in September 1993 as a distinguished graduate from the ROTC program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. During his time in the Air Force, Lyman has had several career highlights, to include serving operational tours in combat communications, space operations and special operations. Additionally, he has served on the staff at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Forces Korea and in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.
"I am excited about the wonderful leadership opportunity and I am humbled by the level of performance of the team here," said Lyman. "There is a healthy and robust partnership with our mission partners and I really look forward to continuing that and strengthening it."
As the commander for Joint Base Charleston and the 628th Air Base Wing, Lyman is responsible is for $7.5 billion in base property and capital assets and controls an annual budget exceeding $172 million.
As host to more than 60 Department of Defense and federal agencies, the wing provides installation support to a total force of more than 90,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, dependents and retirees. In addition, the wing provides mission-ready expeditionary Airmen to combatant commanders in support of joint and combined operations worldwide.
"I'm proud to be joining the ranks of such a remarkable group of professionals," said Lyman. "I pledge to you my best efforts as we tackle new challenges."