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Fightin' Red Tags get new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew McLaughlin
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  The Fightin' Red Tags recently said farewell to their commander as a new leader took the reins.

Lt. Col. James West was given command of the 74th Air Refueling Squadron, colloquially known as "The Fightin' Red Tags," as Lt. Col. Brian Stopher relinquished command of the unit during a ceremony here Feb. 8.

Lt. Col. Gerard Malloy, 434th Operations Group commander, who presided over the ceremony, welcomed West and expressed confidence in the new commander.

"He's the right person for the job," said Malloy.

Stopher, who will retire March 1, thanked the 74th ARS Airmen for their service and emphasized that although he was the commander, he worked for them.

"You're taking over the best group of people I've worked with," Stopher said to West during the transition.

After receiving the 74th ARS guidon, signifying the change of command, West thanked his family for their support and said he appreciated the opportunity to lead the squadron.

Turning to the Airmen he now commands, West then asked them to remember the mission they support and the role they play in its success while encouraging them to not lose sight of greater things while accomplishing their routine duties and requirements.

"Find a place where you can make a difference and do it," he continued.

West's active duty Air Force career began in 1989 after graduating from Auburn University, Ala., and completing Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. He transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1999 and has held various leadership roles since.

He is also a command pilot and has deployed in support of Operations Allied Force, Provide Promise Provide Relief, Restore Democracy, Enduring Freedom, Desert Calm, New Dawn and Unified Protector.

The 74th ARS is part of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. From Grissom, 434th ARW Airmen routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force Mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer