Schwartz assumes command of Hoosier Wing Published June 9, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- From ancient Roman battlefields to the modern era of stealth unmanned aerial systems, military commanders have been the source around which units have rallied and claimed ultimate victory. With such importance of knowing who a commander was and what he expected from his troops, formal command transition ceremonies became a necessity that allowed warriors to witness a peaceful transition of leadership. In that same time-honored tradition, Col. Doug Schwartz assumed command of the 434th Air Refueling Wing in front of the Airmen he now commands during a special ceremony held here June 8. Schwartz previously served as the 927th Air Refueling Wing commander at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and in his new role he commands the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve with over 1,900 military, civilian and contract personnel. "You will not find a better man to lead the 434th ARW," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Barnson, 4th Air Force vice commander, who presided over the ceremony. "He has taken a sacred oath to lead you, and I know that he will stand with you, between our loved ones and war's destination." Shortly after Barnson gave Schwartz the wing's flag, adorned with its campaign streamers dating back to the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, the colonel said he's proud to lead a unit with such a tradition of honor. "You know you make history every day," he said. "You are part of a grand tradition that dates back to the earliest days of our nation's history when citizen soldiers would drop the blacksmith hammer or plow and answer the nation's call." That call is one the colonel said he's ready and willing to answer along with those he commands. "What I expect from you is that you will give your Air Force duty your all - always be ready," he elaborated. "What you can expect is for me to get out of the car in the in the morning with a smile on my face and a spring in my step ready to give 110 percent to our daily work of ensuring that we are always ready should the nation call." Schwartz also said the unit has kept in line with its tradition of excellence, performing admirably over the last few years, but he added there is still work that needs to be done "You simply rock. Whether it's an inspection, a deployment or simply conducting readiness training, you always knock it out of the park," he added. "But, we know that we can never rest on our laurels and press clippings from the past. With two major inspections right around the corner and the constant rhythm of deployments, we simply can't rest." While this assignment may not be a restful one for the colonel, he said he and his wife, who are both native Hoosiers, are glad to get back home. "Folks, it's great to be back home again in Indiana," said Schwartz, who served with the 434th ARW from 1992 to 2007. "Ann and I couldn't be more excited to be back in the Hoosier Wing." Several community leaders from around north-central Indiana came to witness the ceremony, and Schwartz affirmed to them his commitment to keeping the base relevant. "We will work together to continue to carry the message of Grissom and the 434th (ARW) to ensure that this base is always postured for new and emerging missions and has an enduring future," he said. "I plan to stand side-by-side with you as we move forward with energy and vigor to make this great installation a beacon and centerpiece in central Indiana." Looking toward the future, Schwartz said he's excited for what's on the horizon. "Together we will reach new levels of success and accomplishments, and that journey starts right here, today," he concluded. "Let's work hard, but let's have some fun along the way." To learn more about Schwartz, click here to view his biography Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
