Wing welcomes new commander, new name

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (ACCNS) --   Hundreds of Airmen from across the 49th Fighter Wing welcomed a new commander and new wing name during a change of command ceremony June 25.

Col. Jeff "Cobra" Harrigian became the last 49th FW commander when he relinquished command of the newly designated 49th Wing to Col. David "Kooler" Krumm.

Presiding over the ceremony was 12th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, who began the ceremony by explaining the official change of the wing's designation from a fighter wing to a wing.

"As an Air Force, we continue to evolve into a more agile, a more capable and when necessary, a more lethal force -- a force that is capable of engaging an enemy anytime and anywhere," said General Spears. "The Fightin' 49ers have proven their combat and combat support capability literally around the globe ... It is evident with the cutting-edge aircraft that your world-class maintainers maintain and your pilots fly and the multiple unique missions that this wing conducts and supports. Because this wing now supports multiple missions, today we will officially change your designation from a fighter wing to a wing -- one with a wide-range of important and global missions."

General Spears then cited the many accomplishments of Colonel Harrigian and the leaders of the wing for the past two and half years, and thanked him for a job well done.

"Cobra, it's clear to me that your outstanding leadership will have lasting impact on the Airmen of this wing and, in fact, on our Air Force," he said. "I appreciate your strong leadership, which has been reflected in your vision of 'One team, Combat ready.'"

Under Colonel Harrigian's command, the wing has sustained Air Combat Command's largest deployment commitment and highest F-22 Raptor sortie production, and also earned the Meritorious Unit Award and Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence Award.

The general also cited the successful retirement of the F-117A Nighthawk and the bed-down of the F-22 aircraft, as well as the stand up of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Field Training Unit, along with many other accomplishments.

"Simply put, your Airmen under your leadership have rolled up their sleeves, gotten to work and achieved great success," said General Spears. "You have set this wing and Holloman Air Force Base up for success for many years to come. Thank you Cobra, for providing that leadership."

The 12th AF commander then welcomed Colonel Krumm, who comes to Holloman from the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., where he served as a Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow.

"Kooler, those same leadership skills, values and visions that brought you to this stage today will serve you well in the days ahead as you lead this great wing to the next level of excellence. The bottom line is you are ready and the men and women of the 49th Wing are ready for you to step forward as their next wing commander," he said to Colonel Krumm. "Kooler, welcome to the fight."

With the conclusion of General Spears' speech, Colonel Harrigian was called to the stage. Before he spoke, he was awarded a Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct and the performance of outstanding service to the U.S. as commander, 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base."

After thanking his superior officers, members of the local community who he said made him "feel like family," the White Sands Missile Range commander, group and squadron commanders and his family, he spoke to the Airmen of Holloman.

"I have asked a lot. I gave you my expectations and I can honestly say that you made it happen," said Colonel Harrigian. "You worked hard, you played hard, all with one singular vision: 'One team, Combat ready.' I have tremendous confidence in your ability to achieve whatever the commander or our Nation asks of you."

Colonel Harrigian then received his final salute as the 49th FW commander, and relinquished his command. Before Colonel Krumm was handed the 49th WG guidon from General Spears, the 49th FW guidon was cased and the 49th WG guidon was presented to the new commander.

Colonel Krumm received his first salute as the wing commander before sharing a story from his previous assignment at the Pentagon that encompassed his feelings about assuming command of the diverse wing.

People were gathered at the Pentagon one day, taking about 9/11, he said. One of the speakers was recalling the aftermath of the attack.

"There was a lot of fear. There was a lot of confusion and a lot of chaos," said Colonel Krumm. "What struck me was he said that in the middle of all that, they heard the sound of another airplane. They looked up and saw a United States Air Force airplane and he said the environment changed in an instant."

The colonel explained that people then became focused and were reassured when they knew the Air Force was there. He called it "the sound of freedom."

"I still think the sound of freedom is an F-22 providing air dominance, but I also think it's the sound of a Predator or a Reaper providing surveillance or vengeance on our battlefield today," said the colonel. "I think the sound of freedom is security forces on patrol in Afghanistan. It's the sound of an Airman driving a truck in Iraq and a million different sounds in million different other places.

"I also feel strongly that the sound of freedom is never, ever louder than when it's the sound of silence at a dinner table as a family remembers a loved one that served in harm's way for our country," he said.

Colonel Krumm concluded his story and told the crowd he was honored to join them in delivering that sound.

"Our chief emphatically said 'we are all in' and I want this wing to bring the sound of freedom to wherever, whenever and however we're called," said Colonel Krumm. "I am honored to be joined with you in that task. I can't wait to see how you're going to do it."