New commander takes reins at U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

Published Oct. 21, 2009
By Chief Master Sgt. Paula A. Paige
U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- In a speech outlining his three priorities as he took charge of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Brig. Gen. Richard T. Devereaux told the hundreds gathered at his change of command ceremony Oct. 19 that he was "humbled and delighted to be taking command of this fine organization."

The former director of Intelligence Operations and Nuclear Integration for the headquarters Air Education and Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, General Devereaux replaces Maj. Gen. Kip Self who was selected for reassignment. General Self has been tapped to take on responsibilities as director of Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy, deputy chief of staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

General Devereaux said his priorities for the Expeditionary Center are to make sure "we provide relevant, realistic, comprehensive training; ensure the institution remains the center of excellence for the Air Force; and to continue recruiting and retaining world class instructors and staff. "

"The way I see it, our Air Force would be unable to 'fly, fight and win in the air, space and cyberspace' without a robust expeditionary capability," General Devereaux told the audience in the center's auditorium. "Without a doubt, the (Expeditionary Center) has directly contributed to the Air Force's top priority of partnering with the joint and coalition team to win today's fight.

"Never has the EC's mission been more relevant than today when we have over 40,000 Airmen deployed all around the globe over 96 locations directly contributing to combat and humanitarian support missions," the new commander said. "The importance of that mission is enough to get me pretty pumped about taking command of this organization."

Through its Mobility Operations School, Expeditionary Operations School and Resources Directorate, the Expeditionary Center provides advanced combat support training and education for Airmen before they deploy. The center has more than 380 personnel and offers 77 in-residence courses and 16 web-based courses, graduating over 17,000 students each year.

Born in Lockport, N.Y., General Devereaux grew up in Florida and Georgia. His father also has ties to the military, serving five years in the Air Force as a radio operator on B-29s. The general also has an identical twin brother, Bob, who is a civilian physician in Virginia.

General Devereaux, who holds three master's degrees, joined the Air Force in 1978, graduating with honors from the Air Force Academy. He served as a T-37 instructor pilot and managed initial development of the flight control and avionics systems for the C-17. He has held staff positions within both the operational and logistics directorates of the joint staff, and has worked on the Secretary of the Air Force's International Affairs staff.

His commands include a C-5 airlift squadron; an air mobility operations group; the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; and the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard AFB, Texas.

This is my dream job," General Devereaux told his senior leaders later at his first staff meeting. "I'm honored to follow Maj. Gen. Self and I'm looking forward to our adventure here together. You have a tremendous reputation, not just in (Air Mobility Command), but across the Air Force."

Presiding official at the change of command ceremony, General Arthur J. Lichte, who heads the Air Mobility Command, said, "Every one of (Rick Devereaux's) assignments over his 31-year career have really built to the point where he is the right man at the right time to take command of this Expeditionary Center. I'm very, very proud and happy that he is the one who's going to take over--along with his wife Elizabeth--to lead this great organization. I know he is chomping at the bit and ready to jump in and start bringing this organization to new heights."

The military change of command ceremony dates back to the 18th century during the reign of Frederick the Great of Prussia when organizational flags were developed with color arrangements and symbols unique to each unit.

When a change of command occurred, the flag was passed to the individual assuming command. The ceremony was done in front of the unit so they could see their new leader assume his position. This tradition continues throughout military history.