Back in Black: New leader tosses gauntlet for Black Knights

Published Aug. 26, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- The new 19th Airlift Wing commander is honored to be back among the Black Knights and call Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., his home.

Col. Michael Minihan, the 19th AW commander, is on his second assignment here and is excited to witness the Little Rock AFB Combat Airlift legacy in motion.

"It's truly amazing to watch the Airmen of Little Rock accomplish the mission on a daily basis," said Colonel Minihan.

As the new commander, Colonel Minihan is focused on providing worldwide deployable C-130 aircraft, aircrews, support personnel and equipment for Air Mobility Command and Air Expeditionary Force taskings while providing for the health and welfare of more than 12,000 Airmen and families at Little Rock AFB.

"The Black Knight priorities will continue to be mission, people and fun," he said. "I especially want to emphasize taking care of each other and our families."

Part of that emphasis on taking care of Airmen and families is ensuring the availability of world-class housing and education.

"Hunt Pinnacle has done an incredible job taking housing privatization and turning it into a success story," Colonel Minihan said. "Team Little Rock and Hunt Pinnacle cannot let up when it comes to our desire for excellence. Our Airmen and their families deserve nothing less.

"When you move to a new base, housing and schools are at the top of the list on what families care about," he continued. "Our local community is committed to providing our children the best education possible. I need Airmen and their families to be involved at every level of public education to voice their concerns and be a part of the solution."

Colonel Minihan stressed the importance of developing Airmen as a means to developing airpower.

"I want to emphasize how we develop Airmen and airpower: equipping them and training them, so when it comes time to do our combat mission they have everything they need to be successful," Colonel Minihan said. "[We need to do] it in manner that retains their service so we can send them to war, bring them home, reconstitute them and get them ready to do it again in a way they're happy, well-equipped and motivated."

The commander charges all Little Rock Airmen to practice personal accountability and be a good wingman to one another when it comes to physical fitness.

"A healthy lifestyle is a condition of employment in the U.S. Air Force," said Colonel Minihan. "I want Airmen to look at physical fitness like they do with every other aspect of their professional life. At the end of the day, it's hard work and sweat that makes us successful."

Colonel Minihan reminded wing members three keys to success.

"I have three simple words for Black Knight leaders, supervisors and Airmen: ownership, leadership and attitude," the commander said. "I need Airmen to own the mission, own what's happening around you and take accountability.

"Leadership: I value bold, decisive in-your-face leadership, and I expect our Airmen to lead," Colonel Minihan added. "Finally, there's attitude. I value positive attitudes that make coming to work a joy."

The wing commander also values Team Little Rock's strong relationship with the local community.

"We enjoy the warm embrace of an award-winning community," Colonel Minihan said. "The service of our community to our nation is just as important as those who wear the uniform. Our Airmen and their families rely on the community to live, thrive and prosper. When our community won the Abilene Trophy, it simply affirmed what those of us who experienced the local hospitality knew, and it's that our community support is the best."

Colonel Minihan is a command pilot with more than 3,200 hours in the C-130 Hercules and KC-10 Extender.

19th AW Change of Command