Russell named to command mission support group

Published July 8, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- From the junior enlisted ranks to senior command assignments, Grissom is about to gain a commander who brings with him experience from the bottom to the top.

Col. Scott Russell was recently selected to take command of the 434th Mission Support Group here Aug. 10.

In his new role, Russell will be responsible for supporting the mission of the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve and one of only five air reserve bases through a variety of functions including infrastructure, services, logistics, personnel, communications, contracting and security.

"This will be my first time at Grissom, but I've always said you always end up exactly where you're supposed to be," said Russell, who added that he's excited to get back to a host base.

"I started off at Minneapolis-St. Paul [Air Reserve Station, Minnesota,] and it was a culture shock coming to a tenant unit," he continued. "I'm excited to come back to that environment where we have civil engineering, security forces and services in a larger role."

The colonel also said he's looking forward to seeing the Grissom's operation and meeting everyone.

Col. Doug Schwartz, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, said that he's elated to have Russell on the Grissom team.

"We are very excited to have Colonel Russell come aboard here," said Schwartz. "His reputation precedes him, and he'll be an outstanding asset to the Hoosier Wing."

Russell began his military career as an enlisted security policeman in the regular Air Force in 1979, and he received his commission through the Airmen Scholarship and Commissioning Program.

After receiving his commission, a then 2nd Lt. Russell worked counterintelligence and criminal investigations with an Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment at nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

After serving a subsequent tour with Headquarters AFOSI at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C., Russell jointed the Air Force Reserve, commanding the 934th Security Forces Squadron at Minneapolis-St. Paul ARS.

Since that time, he has served as chief of security forces for 10th Air Force and as a reserve advisor to HQ AFOSI. He currently serves as the 459th Mission Support Group commander at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

"I took away a lot from my four years on active duty as a security forces enlisted Airman," he said. "But, the biggest thing was how to get the mission done while taking care of our people."

Those two things are part of what Russell called his "big three" when it comes to leadership.

"Leadership boils down to three things," he elaborated. "Get the mission done, take care of people and have fun while doing it."

When asked about his philosophy of taking care of Airmen, Russell said it's more than just focusing on their day-to-day job.

"It's about mentoring them, finding weaknesses and hardships and helping them progress," he explained. "I'm all for getting people ready for the next level."

Russell will take command during a special ceremony held here Aug. 9.

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Russell named to command mission support group

Russell named to command mission support group

Public Affairs Staff