Photo By Staff Sgt. Jackie Sanders | Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini signs the transfer of authority paperwork to officially...... read more read more
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini assumed command of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, and the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, KAF, from Brig. Gen. John Dolan during a transfer of authority ceremony here, Nov. 18, 2013.
Fantini comes to KAF from the 82nd Training Wing, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where he commanded more than 60,000 Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and international officer and enlisted students annually to include commanding 60 geographically separated units located around the world.
Dolan will become the assistant deputy commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and assistant vice commander, 9th Air Force Expeditionary Task Force at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan, deputy commander-Air, U.S. Force-Afghanistan and deputy chief of staff-Air, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, presided over the ceremony.
Multiple distinguished visitors and general officers, including Edward Alford, U.S. Ambassador to Gambia, and Brig. Gen. Sayed Waqif Shah, chief of staff, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, were present.
As COMKAF and 451st AEW commander, Fantini is now responsible for a composite wing that includes air mobility, aeromedical evacuations, close air support, combat search and rescue, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and electronic attack assets in support of ISAF and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Fantini is also responsible to U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., commander, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, for the operational efficiency and readiness of KAF. Fantini acts as senior airfield authority and a task force commander-equivalent in defense of the airfield and the surrounding ground defense area, exercising centralized coordination of airfield operations, logistics, NATO assets, and real estate management while leading all force protection actions in defense of nearly 26,000 assigned and attached personnel.
“You [Dolan] were able to simultaneously command both the 451st AEW and the coalition members of COMKAF comprised of 19 nations, perfectly embodying the essence of what it means to be a joint leader,” said Wilsbach during his speech. “You maintained a campaign momentum through the nearly flawless execution of the [Air Tasking Order], orchestrating over 470,000 aircraft movements—providing precision attack, integrated [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance], personnel recovery missions, and agile combat support to our NATO and coalition partners.
“As we say ‘goodbye’ to Brig. Gen. Dolan, another commander must take the guidons to lead the men and women of COMKAF and the 451st AEW,” continued Wilsbach. “Brig. Gen. Mike ‘Fan-Man’ Fantini has a distinguished career and is a perfect match for this highly-dynamic and challenging expeditionary environment.”
Following words from Wilsbach and the presentation of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Dolan, Fantini accepted command of his new position.
“What a fantastic opportunity, and I am truly humbled and honored to join the ISAF team as I have seen the great accomplishments through the years,” said Fantini during his speech. “Yet there lays ahead much work to do with many challenges in these upcoming months as we continue the great work of my good friend, and literally my wingman from many missions through our 20-plus year friendship, Brig. Gen. John Dolan.”
Fantini spoke about some of his guiding command principles while addressing the crowd.
“I am committed as COMKAF to provide the best support possible, ensuring security across Kandahar,” said Fantini. “I want to find ways to realize our challenges with a ‘Yes, here is how we’ll work together to make it happen.’ We will maintain continuity, consistency and guard against complacency.”
Second and thirdly, Fantini said his guiding principles were to highlight people and come together as a family with Afghans, NATO partners, civilians and service members.
Approximately 400 people from a variety of nations attended the ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2013 07:02 |
| Story ID: | 116918 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 936 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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