25th IS introduces new commander during Change of Command

HURLBURT FIELD, FL, UNITED STATES

07.02.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Dennis Spain 

1st Special Operations Wing

A change of command ceremony is a formal event in which the commander of a unit hands the reins to the next commander. The ceremony follows a step-by-step protocol that honors an age-long tradition, however, a Hurlburt Field intelligence squadron added an unexpected surprise to the script that made this one unique.


Members of the 25th Intelligence Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony, July 2. One very important guest stole the show.


“I need to recognize someone whose selfless actions many years ago helped make today possible,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Norton, former commander of the 25th IS. “My father was fortunate enough to be rescued by an Air America pilot in Vietnam. That hero is in the audience today.”


That hero was Allen Cates, who contributed to saving Norton’s father’s life when his plane was shot down over Laos in 1972. Cates said he doesn’t need accolades or praise and that he was just doing his job. Norton felt otherwise.


“That job all those years ago created a ripple effect that you should be proud of,” Norton said. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. I hope I’ve paid it forward with my career and time as commander.”


Norton’s leadership guided the 25th IS through its most deployed year in 25 years. He assisting during the generation of approximately 17,000 combat missions which lead to the elimination of nearly 4,000 enemy forces. During his tenure, the outbound commander earned the National Security Agency Director’s Trophy and led the squadron to earn the wing’s Squadron of the Year award. Norton was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal before passing the guidon to the new commander, Lt. Col. Jason Gerber, incoming commander of the 25th IS.


Before Norton relinquished the guidon, Col. Matthew Atkins, commander of the 361st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, said his farewell to the outbound commander.


“This ceremony is special to me because I get to congratulate a colleague and a friend on a brilliant job,” Atkins said. “And I am honored to welcome in a leader who has been preparing for this command his entire career.”


Gerber was previously the director of operations for a special operations unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before taking command of the 25th IS. Gerber has experience from squadron to major command levels performing a variety of duties to include offensive space operations, imagery analysis and airborne special operations.


Gerber said he is looking forward to serving the men and women of the 25th IS.


“Right now I have more energy and excitement than I have ever had before,” Gerber said. “To the men and women of the 25th, I’m ready to get after it with you. You guys are sprinting and I’m ready to jump into the race with you.”

• Date Taken: 07.02.2018
• Date Posted: 07.18.2018 16:17
• Story ID: 284407
• Location: HURLBURT FIELD, FL, US