Photo By Tech. Sgt. Melanie Casineau | Col. James M. Suhr assumed command of the 104th Fighter Wing during a change of...... read more read more
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Colonel James M. Suhr assumed command of the 104th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony held at Barnes Air National Guard Base, March 5, 2017. Col. Suhr is the first active duty commander for the 104th Fighter Wing. He is a dual status commander as both an active duty and Massachusetts National Guard officer as a part of an initiative known as Total Force Integration.
Suhr assumed command from Col. James J. Keefe who will take on greater leadership roles at the Massachusetts Joint Forces Headquarters serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
Governor Charlie Baker, the Director of the Air National Guard, Lieutenant General L. Scott Rice, and The Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, Major General Gary W. Keefe, attended the ceremony which was presided over by the Commander of Massachusetts Air National Guard, Brigadier General James LeFavor.
“I’m honored to thank my brother Col. Jim “Cobra” Keefe for upholding the Wing’s historic reputation of the finest Air National Guard unit around and I certainly welcome Col. Jim “Sling” Suhr whom I have great confidence in that you will continue the tradition of excellence that defines the Airmen of the 104th Fighter Wing,” said Gen. Keefe.
Suhr took a moment to speak to the men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing as he assumed role of commander.
“To the men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing, your reputation as a professional and well respected unit is well known throughout the Combat Air Forces. Most recently for your performance during the theater security package deployment to Europe in direct response to a resurgent Russia and for your outstanding performance on the recent NORAD Air Force evaluation.”
Suhr shared “I am truly humbled to have the opportunity as an active duty Air Force officer to lead the premier Air Superiority unit in the world, the 104th Fighter Wing. I look forward to continuing the Barnstormers tradition of great service to the state and nation, as well as to the communities surrounding our base. There are currently Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officers commanding active duty wings and I expect to see more opportunities for this type of Total Force Integration at all ranks in the future.”
Leveraging the strengths of the Total Force team ensures the Air Force bolsters the strategic use of its agile Airmen.
“Colonel Suhr will be able to share his active duty experience with the 104th Fighter Wing to enhance our operations while learning how the National Guard operates a dual-status mission,” said Gen. Keefe. “He can take that knowledge with him to his next active duty assignment to benefit the U.S. Air Force’s Total Integration program that involves shared assignments with the Active and Reserve Component.”
Governor Charlie Baker personally administered the oath of office officially swearing-in Col. Suhr to the Massachusetts National Guard prior to the Change of Command Ceremony.
Suhr said “I am extremely proud to be the newest member of the Massachusetts National Guard, and look forward to building on the culture of excellence that has thrived here under the leadership of Col Jim Keefe.”
“Colonel Suhr has been a great leader for the U.S. Air Force and served with distinction and honor," said Gen. Keefe. "The hallmark of his service is taking care of Airmen and ensuring the mission is always accomplished. I am confident he will continue to provide sound leadership, dedication and commitment to the fine men and women of the 104th Fighter Wing.”
During the ceremony Suhr thanked his wife along with his parents and mentioned a childhood memory from growing up in the New England area as a military child. “Thank you to my mom and dad for having the foresight and wisdom to raise me as a lifelong Red Sox fan. It’s working out perfectly based on my current duty assignment.”
Suhr is the third active duty commander for Air Guard in recent history. There is currently an active duty Wing commander at the C-130 Air Guard unit in Montana. Two Years ago Col. Craig R. Baker was the first active duty commander to command an Air National Guard unit in recent history. He served as the wing commander of the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard F-16 unit.
A Reservist, Col Michael Hernandez, is currently serving as the wing commander at Tyndall Air Force Base and an Air National Guard officer, Col. April Vogel, is the wing commander at MacDill Air Force Base, both active duty wings.
“I have flown, integrated with, and deployed to combat with guard and reserve officers at every base I have been assigned to since 2002,” said Suhr. “Airmen from every component have the same pride, professionalism, and desire to serve. It is important that we continue to learn how to best leverage each other’s strengths.”
Suhr earned his Air Force commission in 1993 through the West Virginia University Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He served as an aircraft maintenance officer prior to attending Undergraduate Pilot Training.
Prior to arriving in Massachusetts, Suhr served as the Director of Staff for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. Suhr’s Air Force Service includes several F-15C assignments in the Pacific theater and Air Education and Training Command, culminating as the Director of Operations for the 19th Fighter Squadron. He commanded the 3rd Operations Support Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska and was the 380th Expeditionary Operations Group Commander leading 9 squadrons flying 8 different aircraft types at 10 geographic locations in Southwest Asia conducting fighter, air refueling, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and command and control missions in support of overseas contingency operations.
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2017 19:34 |
| Story ID: | 226071 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 457 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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