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375th AMW welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 375th Air Mobility Wing welcomed its new commander, Col. Michael Hornitschek, during a change of command ceremony Friday.

During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, accepted the guidon from Col. Gary Goldstone as he relinquished command and passed it on to Colonel Hornitschek to mark the beginning of his command of the 375th AMW.

Colonel Hornitschek comes from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., where he served as vice commander.

General Allardice complimented Colonel Hornitschek for his role in serving on the "edge of the spear" in the nation's surge requirements for Afghanistan. While at McChord, the colonel worked many issues with getting troops to the combatant commanders, and that, along with his expertise with personnel, international affairs, and work at the Headquarter Air Force staff level makes him a well-qualified leader for the command here, said the general.

In his first speech as the 375th AMW commander, Colonel Hornitschek spoke of why he serves.

"I love my job," said Colonel Hornitschek. "I love it because I have the privilege of serving in the best Air Force in the world and, most importantly, serving alongside inspiring Airmen who make an enormous contribution to history by enabling combat power each and every day!"

The colonel was assigned to the U.S. Transportation Command from 2000 to 2003, and said his family was glad to be back at Scott.

"When we left Scott AFB after our first assignment in 2003, Polly said to me, 'Mike, I'd be very happy to come back here again.'  After 21 years and 10 different bases, this is still the only place to receive that stamp of approval, and should indicate to you how excited we are to return," he said.

Colonel Hornitschek attributed this sentiment to not only a beautiful and well-kept base with a robust Airmen and family support system, but to Scott's unmatched relationship with the surrounding communities.

"To all of our community partners, thank you for your genuine support over the years--I look forward to continuing the spirit of partnership for the betterment of all our citizens here in the great State of Illinois and the greater St. Louis area," he said.

He also praised the wing's history of excellence.

"The 375th AMW has a very proud history based on excellence and the hard work of its Airmen," said Colonel Hornitschek. "Sustained achievement can only be realized through motivational leadership at every level of the organization. Individual leadership development is a career long journey, and I view one of my prime roles as developing leaders capable of handling any challenge, whether they be in combat, garrison, or elsewhere."

With this, the wing's newest commander seeks to make Scott an example of leadership.

"It is my commitment and obligation to you to create an environment that maximizes every military and civilian Airman's leadership potential," he said. "And so because the Airmen of the 375th will hear me repeat this many times in the months to come, I am putting you on notice that I declare this to be the 'Scott Campus' of 'Leadership University', and I ask you all to join me on an exciting leadership development journey. Together we will take care of the wing's mission and ensure the comprehensive fitness of our Airmen."