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Farewells and welcomes were heard as hundreds of members of the Iceman Team, community and family members joined Lt. Gen. Russell Handy, the Eleventh Air Force commander, in the Thunderdome to celebrate the 354th Fighter Wing change of command.
Col. Michael Winkler, the outgoing commander, relinquished command to Col. David Mineau June 29, 2016.
“To the 354th Fighter Wing, it will be the highest honor of my Air Force career to serve alongside the Iceman Team,” said Mineau. “This is a great wing at the top of its peak and I am excited to embark in continued mission success.”
Mineau also explained that he was anxious to be involved with the community and thankful of its continued support of the men and women of the 354th Fighter Wing.
“I will do everything I can to live up to the trust the community has placed in you,” said Mineau. “I couldn’t be more excited about the relationship Eielson has with all of you and I feel really blessed to be a part of such a friendly and supportive community.”
Winkler thanked community partners for their friendship and thanked the wing and tenant units for their hard work during his command. He said he couldn’t take responsibility for the successes without the help of each person.
“To the men and women of the 354th Fighter Wing – thank you,” said Winkler. “Thank you for your faith, professionalism and perseverance during the long winters and busy RED FLAG-Alaska seasons. You should be proud of yourselves.”
Winkler and his family will move on to Yokota Air Base, Japan, as he becomes the 5th Air Force vice commander, but he assured the Icemen and community that his assignment at Eielson will be a memorable one.
“It’s not the mission I’ll remember, it’s the people,” Winkler said. “I look forward to watching each of you and your continued success.”
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.29.2016 21:41 |
| Story ID: | 202812 |
| Location: | EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, AK, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Icemen welcome new commander, recognize former commander’s legacy, by TSgt Ashley Taylor, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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