What’s a change of command?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keith Holcomb
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Every change of command on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, begins with these words: “From ancient times, armies throughout the world have conducted ceremonies to commemorate victory over the enemy, to honor comrades in arms, and celebrate special occasions, such as the change of command."

On June 1, 1972, the 14th Flying Training Wing activated at Columbus AFB with a mission to train military pilots. Since then, Columbus AFB has held over 25 wing change of command ceremonies and numerous ceremonies at the group and squadron levels.

According to Dr. Doris Crusoe, 14th FTW historian Columbus AFB has held approximately 45 base or wing commander change of command ceremonies since 1945. The first change of command took place on April 5, 1945, when Col. Louie Mallory, transferred his base authority and responsibilities to Lt. Col. Wilmer Hardesty.

The 14th FTW hosts more change of command in the summer due to ‘change of command season’. The Air Force has a Permanent Change of Station cycle causing summers to have more of these ceremonies in comparison to the winter.

The formal change of command ceremony afforded troops the opportunity to witness the proceedings and actually see their new commander.

At the recent 14th Operations Group Change of Command, 1st Lt. Taylor Skrobot, 50th Flying Training Squadron chief of training, stood in the ceremony’s formation to render the final salute to the old commander and first salute to the new commander.

“It’s great to be there and hear [in this case] the new commander’s extensive experience in pilot training and the T-6 specifically,” Skrobot said. “It was also cool to see the unity of Team BLAZE under the change of command; it gave a perspective on the size of our moving parts that makes the pilot training mission possible.”

Most change of command ceremonies here are held at the McAllister Fire Station or the Columbus Club.

“These ceremonies have added color and pageantry to military life while preserving tradition and stimulating esprit de corps,” finishes the script as the official change of command begins.