88th Air Base Wing welcomes 34th commander

  • Published
  • By Mike Wallace
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Col. Bradley D. Spacy became the 34th commander of the 88th Air Base Wing at a change-of-command ceremony July 14 in Bldg. 206, Area C. He replaced Col. Colleen M. Ryan who is retiring from military service.

The ceremony was attended by more than 800 people including Spacy's family members, federal and state legislators, several local community mayors and leaders, and numerous base representatives.

Lt. Gen. Jack Hudson, commander of Aeronautical Systems Center, presided over the event held in a World War Two-era hangar back-dropped by the American flag. The 88th Air Base Wing vice commander, Col. James H. Strickler, commanded a formation of Airmen and civilian employees during the ceremony. Lt. Col. Michael A. Vogel, 88th Mission Support Squadron commander, narrated.

Following the National Anthem, sung by Master Sgt. Cynthia Smalls, 88th Security Forces Squadron, the posting of the colors by base honor guard members, and the invocation given by Chaplain (Col.) Joseph S. Kuan, the new wing chaplain, Hudson spoke.

Hudson related a brief history of Wright-Patterson, and then praised Ryan's performance as commander, highlighting base accomplishments including breaking ground to start over $300 million of military construction projects, becoming the permanent location of Corona Top conferences for senior Air Force leadership, increasing participation in the Air Force Marathon and Tattoos, deploying "thousands of Airmen," and "receiving a strong 'Excellent,'" from Air Force Materiel Command inspectors during the wing's unit compliance inspection. Thanking her, he presented her with an ASC coin.

Ryan then addressed the audience representing the "5,000 men and women of the air base wing." She talked about the duties and accomplishments of the base squadrons, and mentioned not only the economic impact of the base on the surrounding communities but also the value of their support for the base.

She said it was "humbling to the commander of the wing," and declared that since the base people performed their jobs so well, "the day-to-day operations were never a challenge (for me). Every Airman in the wing knows his or her job. I could be here a lot longer and not know all the operations, but (wing members) made it easy for me."

To Spacy, she said, "Brad, I can assure you that you too will be awed at the men and women of this wing." To the wing representatives, she said, "Thank you for the best two years of my career. You truly are the best, and I'm so proud to have been part of this heritage."

After a final wing salute and inspection by Ryan, the base command, symbolized by the 88th ABW flag, was given to Spacy.

The former commander of the 375th Mission Support Group, Scott AFB, Ill., Spacy is a career security forces officer with extensive air base defense and antiterrorism force protection experience. In addressing members of his new command, Spacy quipped, "I spent time in the honor guard; I know there's no such thing as a short speech. I'll try to live up to your expectations."

Spacy said that Ryan had been "an outstanding leader." He added, "I've heard nothing but praise for her and the men and women of the air base wing." Spacy spoke of the importance of "integrity, service, and excellence," and saying that this credo was "a way of life." He told the wing people he doesn't believe in grey areas and that "if you can't get clear guidance, see me."

Spacy talked about spending his entire life in the Air Force and regarding military, civilian workers, and community members as being parts "of the Air Force family." He said that the family fights, celebrates, and "sometimes has to mourn together. I promise to do my best."

The new commander's first salute was punctuated by the firing of 100 blank rounds by an M240 machine gun. That was followed by four Airmen on stage, each reciting a portion of the Airman's Creed. The officials and audience then sang the Air Force Song to conclude the ceremony.

In a question-and-answer session with local news media, Spacy talked about relishing the opportunity to command the 88th Air Base Wing, and again commended Ryan for the "amazing job" she did as commander. He said serving in Security Forces afforded him leadership opportunity early in his career, and said, "Some noncommissioned officers taught me the right things to do."

After talking about the value of strong relationships between the military and neighboring communities, Spacy concluded the session by reiterating his goal. "I only promise you one thing, while I'm your commander, you'll get everything I got; every day!" said Spacy.