Ellsworth accepts command of 66 ABG

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Col. Chad Ellsworth accepted command of the 66th Air Base Group and installation here today during a change of command ceremony in the Aero Club Hangar.

Lt. Gen. Robert McMurry, Jr., Air Force Life Cycle Management Center commander, presided over the ceremony, in which Col. Roman Hund relinquished command.

“I am absolutely confident and convinced that Chad Ellsworth has got everything it takes, to take what Roman Hund has done so masterfully and bring us to the next level,” McMurry said.

After taking command, Ellsworth spoke about the opportunity to be installation commander and offered his commitment to Hanscom’s partners.

“To our mission partners of Team Hanscom, I pledge to you the group’s unwavering support as we work together to deliver the world’s greatest Air Force, the most trusted and agile provider of innovation and cost-effective war-wining capabilities,” he said.

He also addressed members of the 66 ABG.

“To the men and women of the 66th Air Base Group, thank you for this wonderful ceremony,” Ellsworth said. “I look forward to serving with you, and I am honored and humbled to be your commander.”

As commander of the 66 ABG, Ellsworth is responsible for securing, supporting and sustaining more than 5,000 active duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel, Defense Department civilians and contractors, along with 130,000 retired military and spouses living in the six-state New England region and New York.

Ellsworth most recently was a National Defense Fellow in the International Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The International Security Program addresses the most pressing threats to U.S. national interests and international security.

Among his numerous other assignments, Ellsworth served as the executive officer for Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, commander of Air Force Materiel Command.

Approximately 30 local and state civic leaders attended the ceremony, including U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark. During his remarks, Hund recognized them for their support to Hanscom.

“The CODEL [Congressional Delegation] in Massachusetts is amazing,” Hund said. “I’ve never seen the kind of engagement between the state, the selectmen in the local communities, at the federal level and engagement at our installation commander level. It’s just been amazing to see how much work we can get done here and how many things we can get put in place to improve Hanscom Air Force Base.”

Hund, who had commanded the 66th since July 2016, retired after more than 26 years in the Air Force.