CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston, the beginning of summer is always a time of change. As the weather warms up, more Airmen and their families enjoy activities such as boating, water sports, riding motorcycles and other outdoor activities. Many of us also spend time traveling and enjoying vacations. With these activities and trips comes a certain amount of risk, so I ask we all remember to stay within our limits and keep safety at the forefront of all we do.
For the Air Force, we can also expect many changes as we move into the summer months. We said goodbye to Col. John "Red" Millander, our wing commander for the past two years, and we welcome Col. John Wood as the new 437th Airlift Wing commander. Some of our group and squadron commanders will also move on and we'll see many new faces around the base and community. Even Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley will retire this summer and Chief Master Sgt. James Roy will become the Air Force's top enlisted leader. Some of you may remember Chief Roy; he was the 437th Airlift Wing command chief from August 2002 through May 2004.
Some things will remain the same or get better in the Air Force, despite the changes in leadership at all levels. First, our leaders truly care about our Airmen and their families and recognize the sacrifices we ask people to make to accomplish the mission. I can promise you, Colonel Wood will have our quality of life, quality of service and our welfare in mind as he leads the 437 AW, as will Col. Steven Chapman, the new commander of the 315th Airlift Wing. Chief Roy will advise the chief of staff of the Air Force and other leaders on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and the proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force, and I know he'll do a great job.
Next, our Air Force promotes Airmen and assigns them increased responsibilities based on a proven record of superior performance and the potential to serve in a higher grade. If we live by the Air Force core values at all times and truly become our organization's "go-to Airmen," we greatly improve our opportunity to gain a promotion or move into a position where we have a greater influence on Airmen or mission accomplishment. Master Sgt. Robert Pattison, 437th Operations Group, is our latest Airman to be selected for promotion to senior master sergeant. He earned this outstanding honor because he's proven he's ready, and I'm extremely proud of him.
I look forward to the changes our latest graduates from the Airman Leadership School will make to improve the base, their units and the community as they apply their newfound leadership techniques. I'm proud to have the John Levitow Award winner, Senior Airman Jonathon Campbell, 437th Security Forces Squadron; the Leadership Award winner, Senior Airman Marcus Ohler, 14th Airlift Squadron; the Distinguished Graduates, Staff Sgt. Shannon Hill, 437 SFS; Senior Airman Bill Elliott, 14 AS; Senior Airman Jared Lambert, 437th Operations Support Squadron; and the Academic Achievement Award winner, Airman Elliot, as members of Team Charleston.
Let's embrace and enjoy the changes coming our way. We're in good hands and can expect our new leaders to take us to new heights. Enjoy the summer safely, and like always, I'm truly proud and grateful for all you do to keep our nation free.