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6th Air Mobility Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nika Glover
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  Col. Robert Thomas relinquished command of the 6th Air Mobility Wing to Col. Lawrence Martin during a change of command ceremony Sept. 8.

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for Colonel Thomas' hard work during his tenure as the 6th AMW commander. 

"Just under (two) years ago Colonel Thomas and his family moved to one of the busiest commands in the Air Force," said General Scott. "Under his leadership, the 6th Air Mobility Wing's abilities have soared. It continues to accomplish amazing things and set benchmarks for this command."

The general said the good news is that the Thomas's aren't leaving the Air Mobility Command family. 

Colonel Thomas has been selected for reassignment to Fairchild AFB, Wash., where he will serve as the commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing.

"I could not think of a better leader to serve at Fairchild," General Scott added.

Colonel Thomas said it was hard for him to find the right words, and he just wanted to thank everyone who made his job at MacDill easier. He also thanked the leaders of the Tampa Bay community for attending, and he reflected on his time at MacDill.

"There aren't very many Air Force wings and there are many more officers who deserve to be in charge of one, so I feel very thankful to have gotten the opportunity to be the commander of the 6th AMW," said Colonel Thomas.  "I take satisfaction in knowing the wing is in good hands, but I am also excited to be moving on to new opportunities."

He said it's been a pleasure to work with so many great Airmen and to be given the opportunity to work with new Airmen in the future.

"As a commander it just doesn't get any better than to be in command of a wing like this," added Colonel Thomas.

During the ceremony, General Scott also spoke of Colonel Martin and what type of leader he knew him to be.

"Team MacDill, get ready," the general said. "You're receiving one of AMC's finest."
 
The general told Colonel Martin that he had the responsibility of maintaining one of the highest of standards and with all the hard work and late nights ahead of him, his time at MacDill would fly by.

Colonel Martin comes to MacDill after a tour as vice commander of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia. The colonel brings with him to his new assignment, his wife, Julia, and their two sons, Jeff and JJ.

While addressing his new wing, Colonel Martin said, "You just don't know how happy this Minnesota boy is to be in Tampa. I always wanted to be a good leader and today I get that opportunity on a scale I had only ever dreamed about. I am truly honored to be a part of this and I can't wait to get to work."