An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

6th Air Mobility Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katherine Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Col. Larry Martin relinquished command of the 6th Air Mobility Wing to Col. Lenny Richoux during a change of command ceremony today.

Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for Colonel Martin's hard work during his tenure as the 6 AMW commander.

"I'm honored to be on stage in the presence of such great leadership," said General Allardice. "Col. Martin and his family have done such a great job at MacDill. With their leadership, the wing performed superbly, winning the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award."

The general said he was ready to work beside the Martins at their next assignment.

Colonel Martin has been selected for reassignment to Scott AFB, Ill, where he will serve as Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy, Programs and Logistics at U.S. Transportation Command.

Colonel Martin said his two years at MacDill went by all too quickly and he and his family enjoyed their time and the community. He thanked his MacDill partners for giving him the opportunity to serve next to them.

"I especially want to thank the Airmen standing in front of you," said Colonel Martin. "They always found a way to say 'yes'; making uncountable impossibilities possible."

"You [the community] opened your homes and hearts to us," he said. "Thank you for being teachers, wingmen and our friends."

During the ceremony General Allardice also spoke of Colonel Richoux and what type of leader he knew him to be.

"Col. Richoux is very talented," the general said. "He is the right person for the job."

Colonel Richoux comes to MacDill after a tour as vice commander of 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan. The colonel brings with him to his new assignment, his wife, Michele and their three children, Claudia, Lena and Emile.

"I am incredibly proud to be your commander," Colonel Richoux said. "Thank you for this opportunity."

Colonel Richoux entered the Air Force in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was a distinguished graduate of both the U.S. Air Force Squadron Officer School and the Air Command and Staff College.

Colonel Richoux has served in many diverse positions, including: 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander, Al Udeid AB, Qatar and Division Chief, Strategy and Plans, Directorate of Communication, Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Colonel Richoux is a command pilot with more than 3,100 hours in the T-37B, T-38A, KC-135A/R/T, C-17, HH60, E-3 and F-15D.