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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 9, 2010

Historic week concludes with change of command at 12th FTW

By Robert Goetz 502d Air Base Wing OL-B Public Affairs

One of the most momentous weeks in Randolph's recent history concluded Feb. 5 with a change in leadership at an organization that lost its mission support and medical groups but heads into the future with an expanded flying training mission.

Just three days after the 12th Mission Support Group inactivated and became the 902d Mission Support Group - the first of three installation support organizations to join Joint Base San Antonio, the 502d Air Base Wing at Fort Sam Houston - Col. Richard Murphy succeeded Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost as 12th Flying Training Wing commander.

Colonel Murphy, who previously served as vice commander of the 71st FTW at Vance AFB, Okla., said his priorities are simple.

"We're going to execute the mission to the highest standards, No. 1," he said during the change-of-command ceremony in Hangar 4. "No. 2, we're going to operate our mission and systems safely."

Colonel Murphy said his other priorities are "to ensure we maintain that level of excellence that everyone has come to expect from the wing" and "keep our families involved in the mission and take time out for them."

Colonel Murphy focused on change, which he said the wing "embraced under Colonel Van Ovost" and which will dominate the mission in the months ahead. Paraphrasing a quotation about change, he said if the wing focuses "on the positive outcomes, we will become what we seek and what we wish to become" and "spectacular results" will follow.

Colonel Murphy said the wing will remain committed to excellence in pilot instructor training and introduction to fighter fundamentals while maintaining excellence in combat systems officer training even as it moves to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., where the 12th FTW's 479th Flying Training Group has been activated.

"The men and women of the 479th standing here in front of you today are working very hard to ensure there's going to be no interruption in our CSO mission as they transition to Pensacola," he said. "It's an extremely large responsibility."

Colonel Murphy also talked about the wing's new remotely piloted aircraft training mission, saying the Air Force will "rely on the expertise of our people so we can maintain our edge in this whole war."

Maj. Gen. Gregory Feest, 19th Air Force commander, introduced Colonel Van Ovost, commending her for her leadership, and Colonel Murphy, calling him the "perfect leader" for the 12th FTW with his breadth of experiences. He especially paid tribute to Colonel Van Ovost for her leadership during the swift stand-up of the RPA training mission that resulted in courses for officers and enlisted Airmen and later presented her the Legion of Merit.

"It was thrilling to witness this extraordinary mission accomplishment first-hand," he said. "It's a tribute to Colonel Van Ovost's can-do leadership style and the ability of the Randolph team to rise to the occasion over and over again and make this mission stand-up an overwhelming success."

Colonel Van Ovost, who will soon lead the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., also discussed the 12th FTW's expanded flying mission and proclaimed the wing has "entered a new day."

"We are leader- and laser-focused on forging the future of our combat aviators," she said. "We have set in motion a new partnership of excellence with our support team that will sustain us into the future."

Colonel Van Ovost, who joined Team Randolph as 12th FTW vice commander in May 2007, paid tribute to past and present wing members.

"You've made this an awesome experience," she said. "You inspire me and I will never forget the gifts you have shared with me along the way."