High Praise for Heavy Airlift Wing at Change of Command Ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Wayne Clark
  • Regional News Bureau AFN-Europe
PAPA AIR BASE, Hungary --   U.S. Air Force Colonel Keith P. Boone assumed command of the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) from U.S. Air Force Colonel John Zazworsky at a ceremony here June 17, becoming only the second commander of the unique wing since it was established in 2008. Major General Mark Schissler, Chairman of the Strategic Airlift Capability Steering Board, presided over the ceremony, which drew a multinational audience of more than 120 people.

"I thank the 12 nations that came together to make this Airlift adventure a reality," said Colonel Zazworsky, who served as the Wing's first Commander for nearly three years. Colonel Zazworsky next assignment will be Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

"When I began my career I couldn't imagine I would be stationed in this part of Europe joining this team of nations flying global combat and humanitarian missions. This Wing started with one aircraft and it has grown into an incredible capability," said Colonel Boone.

Most recently, Colonel Boone was the Vice Commander of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, McGuire AFB, NJ, which provides specialized teams that extend air mobility infrastructure and establish initial airbase opening capability through forward deployment locations.

The HAW is the operational unit of the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program, a multinational consortium that is designed to fulfill the strategic airlift requirements of the participating nations. HAW operates a fleet of three C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets.

Major General Schissler emphasized the Heavy Airlift Wing's unique role as truly multinational unit. "Twelve SAC nations have achieved so much more together than any of the nations would have been able to do alone," he said during the ceremony.

When it reaches full operational capability, the wing be a combat-capable C-17 airlift unit designed to perform the full spectrum of airlift missions. The HAW's core competencies will include, for example, single ship airdrop, assault landings and all-weather operations day or night into low to medium threat environments.

Partner nations include: the U.S., Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and Finland.