JEFFERSON BARRACKS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mo. – Col. Bill Boothman assumed command of the 131st Mission Support Group and Col. Clarence “Chip” Atterbury took command of the 157th Air Operations Group at a single assumption of command ceremony during January drill here Jan. 7.
Each has been acting commander for his respective group since December drill, when Col. Mike Jurries, previous 157th MSG commander, retired.
131st Bomb Wing Commander Col. Ken Eaves presided over the combined ceremony, and discussed each leader’s selection to command as a reflection of the second Air Force core value: service before self.
“Service before self tells us that professional duties take precedence over personal desires,” he said, quoting from America’s Air Force: Profession of Arms. “What you’re looking at up here are two gentlemen that epitomize service before self.”
In his remarks upon taking command, Boothman thanked the 157th AOG Airman that he’d recently led, then addressed his new group about his hopes as their leader.
“I’m looking forward to working for the MSG;” said Boothman. “Hopefully everyone heard that word correctly, because I mean working for the MSG.
“We’re going to be 110-percent in, and you’ve got my commitment – leading the largest group and the nucleus of the wing – we’re going to make things happen,” he added.
“Frankly, the wing cannot do its job if the mission support group is not doing its job. They are the heart of the mission; they are what allows us to bring pain upon our enemies,” said Eaves. “I could find no better person with the qualifications to do this job than Bill Boothman. He cares, he’s committed to mission and to people, and I couldn’t ask for – you couldn’t ask for – a better group commander.”
Boothman commanded the 157th AOG since September 2016, and had served as acting commander of the unit while a large contingent of the group was deployed. He was at the helm as the group stood up three squadrons in 2016: the 157th Air Intelligence Squadron, the 157th Combat Operations Squadron and the 157th Air Communications Squadron.
Attebury, former 157th AIS commander, recently retired from his full-time civilian job and had moved to California. Despite his status, Eaves knew he was the right leader to command the 157th AOG, and called with a compelling offer:
“I’ve got a good deal for you,” Eaves recounted. “I need you to serve longer, and I need you to work harder, probably for less money.”
Atterbury’s response? “He told me, ‘whatever you need,’” Eaves said.
“This command badge I take very seriously,” said Attebury, tapping the embroidered symbol on his chest. “There’s a lot of weight that’s put on a commander’s shoulders; looking across all these faces, I’m reminded of that. All of you are depending on us to do the right things for you; to get the right resources for you; and I take that seriously.
“I enjoyed being a squadron commander; stepping up to be a group commander is going to be the privilege of my career,” he added. “I’m going to work even harder as a group commander as I did as a squadron commander.
Atterbury was 157th AIS commander since November 2016. He was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps after graduating from Stanford University in 1987, and has more than 29 years of experience as a career intelligence officer in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, as well as with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. He has deployed in support of Operations Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Tomodachi.
“If you want to know where the bar is set for leadership, it’s right here, with these two Airmen,” said Eaves. “They have rejuvenated my mind on what I expect of all leaders in our organization. I couldn’t be more proud of these gentlemen, and I’m excited for what they will do.”
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.10.2018 20:49 |
| Story ID: | 261806 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 168 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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