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Team Dover welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  With a brisk salute and four words, "Sir, I assume command," Col. Steven Harrison took command of the 436th Airlift Wing from Col. Sam Cox in a change-of-command ceremony here Tuesday.

Colonel Harrison joins Team Dover after serving as the vice commander of the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

The new wing commander began his address by thanking Maj. Gen. James Hawkins, 18th Air Force commander, for kind words the general spoke on his behalf. He also shared how proud he is to have been given the opportunity to command Team Dover and how honorable it is to command anywhere in the 18th Air Force.

"To command here at the Eagle Wing, at this Super Port, with this team is a particular honor," said Colonel Harrison, who then turned to face his family. He extended words of gratitude toward his wife for her support and thanked the Cox family for their extraordinary leadership skills.

He then turned to address the members of Team Dover standing in formation and local community leaders.

"The word on the street is that the finest, warmest and most genuine community in Air Mobility Command, if not the Nation, resides right here around Dover Air Force Base," he said, which resulted in a thundering round of applause and cheers. "Jill and I don't know you yet, but we know a little bit about community and the value of community. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share this mission with you. There is no place in the world we'd rather be than right here."

Taking command of the Eagle Wing is no easy feat and Colonel Harrison, with the support of his wife, Jill, and daughters, Hillary and Mollie, he is ready to step up to the challenge.

Yet, in doing so, he feels humbled by the work Team Dover is already doing and did not hesitate in stating so.

"I want to say thanks to all of them," he said, speaking to the community leaders about the Airmen under his command. "I don't know them yet, but I already know what I need to know. Everyone here chose to serve their Nation when their Nation called and that's all I really need to know.

"Every hour of every night and every day, there are men and women of the 436th Airlift Wing working in the port, on the flightline and a myriad of other duties and responsibilities," he said. "They are in the skies here and around the world. They do this without regard to the cold or heat, snow or rain.

"You know better than I that they are dedicated, they are talented, they are tough and they're determined," he said pointing at the formation of Airmen in front of him. "They're all the things that you'd associate with our military men and women."

The assembly remained silent as the new Eagle Wing commander continued.

"These Airmen understand integrity, know about service, understand excellence and understand the sacrifice that comes with all of it," he proclaimed. "They'll give me, they'll give you and they'll give each other their lives because they know that America depends on them and they know that our security depends on them.

"What the Airmen of Dover do makes your eyes water with pride," he explained.

Colonel Harrison then pointed to Colonel Cox, his long time colleague and friend.

"You built an incredible organization here," he said. He then faced Team Dover and continued, "You all built an incredible organization here. Jill and I consider ourselves lucky to be a part of it and to join the team that we have heard so much about through the years."

With the Air Force song resonating throughout the hangar, the new commander departed with the responsibility of the Eagle Wing upon his shoulders.