Col. Michael Hatfield assumes command of AFRL Air Vehicles Directorate

  • Published
  • By Robyn Dinwiddie
  • AFRL Air Vehicles Directorate
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Air Force Research Laboratory welcomed a new commander to lead the Air Vehicles Directorate July 15 when Col. Michael C. Hatfield succeeded Col. John B. Wissler during a change of command ceremony held at the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Col. Hatfield's previous assignment was chief of  the Assessments Division, CJ5 Strategy, Plans, and Assessments Directorate for Multi-National Force-Iraq in Baghdad. Prior to deploying, he was military commander and deputy director for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Virginia, and its two foreign technology offices in London and Tokyo. There he was responsible for managing the Air Force's investment in basic research; the home station staff of 220 personnel and an annual budget of $500 million, which supports more than 5,000 worldwide basic research projects critical to the defense of the country.

"Col. Hatfield comes to us with a wide range of experience and competencies," said Mr. Joe Sciabica, AFRL executive director, who presided over the ceremony.

In reflecting back over his career, Col. Hatfield noted that it had actually been a tour of some of the Air Vehicles Directorate's own facilities and programs that originally sparked his interest in the military. He entered the Air Force after completing his undergraduate degree at the Ohio Northern University in 1984. He said he and his wife Darlene have often talked about returning home to Ohio, and they could not be more pleased to finally be stationed here.

"I will do my very best to show good stewardship over what you've nurtured and labored over these past years.," Col. Hatfield told change of command attendees. "I'm honored to stand before you today and to have the opportunity to serve alongside you. This is a truly a dream assignment for me, one that would make the most sage engineer feel like a young child in a candy shop. I have to pinch myself every morning I wake up."

Col. Hatfield also expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the Air Force Research Laboratory and Air Vehicles Directorate, saying "Thank you for all you've done as caretakers of our community, and for the remarkable contributions you've made to the Air Force and our country. Your ceaseless efforts each and every day right here in Dayton, Ohio, have built a solid foundation to keep our country strong, providing our warfighters the decisive edge to defeat our enemies in battle, and deterring countless others from dangerous and costly courses of action...ultimately allowing us to defend our interests and execute national policies which will keep our country strong for future generations."

The new commander addressed some of his key focus areas when providing advice. He put significant emphasis on the priorities of mission and people. Of mission, he said, "Find something that you are passionate about and try to make a difference. Set goals and stay focused - it's what will give you satisfaction in your job and, along with the people, what you'll remember when you look back at your assignment". Regarding people, the colonel stressed commitment to watch out for one another, and to be particularly mindful to take care of deployed members and their families. He also emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and in cultivating working relationships to "make us even more effective and to build a strong foundation for further success throughout our careers."

"Keep your life in balance - that's your family and close relationships, time for physical fitness, recreation, or just time to yourself," Col. Hatfield advised. "In our hi-ops tempo environment, this is absolutely essential to sustained success - yours and ours. You won't do us any good if you're broken. So, take the time to make a plan, and periodically review it and your priorities."

Looking ahead, Col. Hatfield called for vigilance in protecting "the precious resources entrusted to us." To this, he added, "While it's important to recognize our organizational strengths as a part of our proud heritage, we also understand that we must continue to skillfully apply these as we face future challenges. The way ahead will be difficult at times, and we'll definitely need to keep bringing our 'A-game' and all we've learned up to this point to the table, but I'm confident that the same dedicated professionalism which has brought us this far will continue to prevail."

"I'm excited knowing there's much more great work out there that I'll get to see in the coming days and weeks. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to work with my fellow directors and our AFRL leadership and staffs in this new role, and look forward to meeting with you soon," Col. Hatfield said in closing.