INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --
Col. John Walker assumed command of the 39th Air Base Wing from Col. Craig Wills during a change of command ceremony July 31, here.
For his next assignment, Col. Wills has been selected as the executive officer to the commander, Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. The presiding officer for the change of command ceremony was Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Ray thanked Wills for his dedication and performance during his time as commander, specifically siting how he lead the wing for the best inspection the 39th ABW has had in the last 16 years. Ray also commented that he was impressed with how Wills took "care of the base and the facilities for the team. When I look around, it's a great place to be."
Ray also stated that Walker has come to Incirlik Air Base at a great time.
"Everybody just knows that we bring the right leader at the right time," said Ray. "Know that I charge you to drive ownership of the mission at every level of this organization and that you promote the climate of integrity, dignity and respect at every turn. I think that's the most important step as we prepare these Airmen to prepare to do what I think is the most important job; and that's to produce American airpower at such an incredibly important time at such an incredibly important place."
During the ceremony, Wills thanked the Airmen of the 39th ABW for the many things the base has accomplished while under his command. He also thanked Turkish air force Brig. Gen. Bekir Ercan Van, 10th Tanker Base Command commander, for his hospitality and all he has done to ensure the safety and security of the Airmen stationed at Incirlik.
"When I was young I thought the most important, impressive and cool thing in our Air Force was the sight of an F-15 [Eagle] in full afterburner," said Wills. "While I still admit that that's pretty cool, I know now, after working here for two years that the most impressive, the most amazing, the most extraordinary thing is the sight of Airmen working together to solve problems, attack challenges and take care of each other. I've seen firsthand that you will never falter and you will not fail."
Wills also welcomed Walker and his family to the base and stated that he felt he was leaving the Hodja's in especially caring and capable hands.
Walker, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours in F-16s and the Harrier GR7, including 250 combat hours. Before arriving at Incirlik AB, Walker was the commander of the 8th Operations Group at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
After assuming command of the 39th ABW, Walker said he and his wife were both humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead the wing. To the Airmen of the base, he asked for them to keep their focus and to stay ready.
"Everything I have seen in the past week tells me you indeed stand forward, ready, now," said Walker. "We're poised because of each and every member of the Hodja Team. We're strong, dedicated, focused and ready for any challenge. You, our Airmen, are the center of gravity of our team, the tip of our spear and the fabric of our resilience."