RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
History was made here March 14 when the 12th Flying Training Wing's vice commander became the first female ever to lead the wing as commander.
Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost, former 12th FTW vice commander, accepted command of the wing from Maj. Gen. Irv Halter, 19th Air Force commander, during a change of command ceremony in Washington Circle.
Several mayors, other local civic leaders and family members joined dozens of commanders and hundreds of "warrior Airmen" to bid farewell to Col. Richard Clark and congratulate Colonel Van Ovost on her new position, which coincidentally started during Women's History Month.
Before she was named vice commander of the 12th FTW, Colonel Van Ovost was the Joint Operations Division Chief in the Operations and Plans Directorate at United States Transportation Command. She has logged 3,900 flying hours in the C-17A, C-141B and KC-135R.
After taking command, she spoke about the privilege of working with the men and women of the 12th FTW.
"Military, civilian and contractor alike, you demonstrate daily that you're chasing after a passion to serve in the best military in the world ... amongst the best people you can hope to ever make a difference with," she said. "You make it all happen. I'm humbled by this opportunity to serve you."
Colonel Clark, the former wing commander, expressed his gratitude to the Airmen he stated were among the best in the world before relinquishing command.
"I'm honored today to have the opportunity to hand the ball off to a phenomenal officer," Colonel Clark said. "Colonel Van Ovost is one of the most talented, if not the most talented, officers I know. She's a supreme commander, a brilliant thinker, and has the compassion that every wing commander needs. She's going to lead this wing to new heights and take us places we've never been before."
With excitement in her voice, Colonel Van Ovost outlined some of her plans for the future of the "Showplace of the Air Force."
"Together as the 12th Wing family we will continue to reach out to support our family members, our wounded Airmen, our veterans and our community," said the new wing commander. "We will make this the most agile training wing in AETC.
"We will lead in our efforts, we will break glass, and we will have a good time doing it. The 12th Flying Training Wing ... one family, one vision, one mission - training the world's finest Airmen for tomorrow, deploying combat-ready warriors today."