JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The Air Force's newest Airmen helped welcome the new 37th Training Wing commander in a change of command ceremony that was folded into Friday's Air Force Basic Military Training graduation parade here.
Maj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, 2nd Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. Trent Edwards assumed command of the Air Force's largest training wing from Col. Mark Camerer in front of 488 graduating Airmen and more than an estimated 2,000 people in the stands.
"Today is a remarkable day in many ways," Patrick said prior to passing the 37th TRW guidon to Edwards. "I've got a commander and his spouse (Camerer and his wife Julie) we are getting ready to send on a new journey for their second command.
"I've got another commander (Edwards) whose getting ready to start his second command in a new Air Force journey," Patrick said. "It just doesn't get any better than that."
In bidding farewell, Patrick called Camerer's leadership at JBSA-Lackland the past 21 months as noble, professional and said "I'm proud to call you a Wingman."
"You and Julie are an incredible Air Force couple and I can't wait to see you wearing those stars," Patrick said. Camerer was promoted to brigadier general at JBSA-Randolph following the 37th TRW change of command ceremony.
Patrick, a former 37th TRW and 502nd Air Base Wing/JBSA commander, called Edwards and his wife Vanessa another fantastic Air Force couple during his welcome remarks to the new commander.
"Trent's been watching the last couple of weeks on what this wing does, not only on the parade field but throughout the rest of the (five) training groups," Patrick said. "He's ready."
Edwards comes to the 37th TRW after spending the past two years as commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
He was responsible for all base operating support, infrastructure and services support for 42,000 active-duty, Reserve, civilian and contractor personnel, students and families at Maxwell and Gunter Annex in direct support of Air University.
In addressing the crowd after assuming command, Edwards said Camerer's leadership and commitment to the training mission made a big difference across the wing and throughout the Air Force.
"Vanessa and I look forward to building on your success," Edwards said. "To General Rand (Gen. Robin Rand, Air Education and Training Command commander) and General Patrick, I am honored and humbled for this privilege to command the 37th TRW.
"Thank you for your trust and confidence in my leadership," he said. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime."