165th Airlift Wing / Georgia Air National Guard: Change of Command Ceremony
On Sunday, November 7th, Colonel Chris Dunlap relinquished Savannah-based Wing command to Colonel Bob Noren in front of a large crowd of fellow Guardsmen, representatives from other branches, and community leaders. The 165th is known by its long-held belief and slogan: “America’s Best Team. World’s Best Airlift.”
Colonel Dunlap mentioned in his ceremony remarks that the key elements of effective leadership for him have always included: integrity, courage, innovation, and compassion. He further shared with those attending that one should “never underestimate the power of exceptional leadership.”
Accepting Wing command, Colonel Noren emphasized “service to this country and to one another.” He likened his role as Wing commander to that of a “senior servant” thereby encouraging and allowing all of those serving in the Wing to successfully carry out their various assigned roles and missions. “People (Citizen Airmen) are more important than hardware” in assuring continued Wing mission success.
Major General Tom Grabowski, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Georgia National Guard, spoke and conducted the change of command ceremony on behalf of the Georgia Guard Headquarters in Atlanta. Georgia Guard top-commander, Adjutant General (Army & Air), Major General Tom Carden, was also in attendance at this impressive ceremony held at the Savannah Base.
The 165th Airlift Wing is this year celebrating 75-years of dedicated service to America, continuously working to help preserve our security and freedom, whenever and wherever called.