Col. Hansen accepts wing command

In a ceremony steeped in tradition, Brig. Gen. Irving Halter surrendered command of the 366th Wing to Col. Blair Hansen Monday as the unit colors were handed over to a new leader.

The hangar was a sea of blue uniforms as representatives from every squadron on base stood ready to welcome their new commander and bid farewell to one who had led them through a multitude of changes during his two-year tenure with the wing. Seats filled quickly with invited guests, dignitaries, families and friends.

Brig. Gen. David "Scott" Gray, vice commander for 12th Air Force, preparing to hand on the flag of command in the time-honored tradition, noted that while the focus of the ceremony was on transition and change, it also represented a constant leadership. The 12th Air Force is always looking for quality, he said, and had found that in Gen. Halter. Halter's focused leadership readied the wing to deploy, assisted the vice president and helped with the 2002 Olympics, all while refinishing the runway. He was there to see the transformation as the B-1Bs and KC-135Rs moved from the composite wing.

Through it all, Halter always made a point to recognize the individual for a job well done.

Gray noted that Halter had taken the wing to new heights and set the stage for a future of success.

Now Col. Blair Hansen will take over the reins of command. Gray pointed out that Hansen has been a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in fighter aircraft, including over 100 combat missions. He has flown the F-111 and F-15. Hansen knows what it takes to get munitions programs off the ground, said Gray, adding that as commander, Hansen will now oversee the Battle Lab.

Gray told Hansen that the "ops tempo" is fast and "you are going to be busy," but pointed out that he has a first-rate team.

As Halter addressed his troops for the final time, he noted that it would be hard to leave, joking that there might be a struggle when it came time to hand over the unit colors.

He noted there was a long-standing comment about Mountain Home AFB -- "You cry twice; once when you arrive and again when you leave." Halter said he and his family didn't cry when they first came to Mountain Home. They felt they had some idea what to expect and had been prepared. But, now as the family prepared to move on, they understood why there might be tears.

He spoke of the gratitude he felt to so many, for making his days here so memorable. He praised the community for its uncompromising acceptance of the mission and 'his' people. He noted that 16 months ago when the men and women of the 366th were called upon, they were ready "and you made history."

But now it was time to relinquish 'Gunfighter 1,' as he heads to duties in the Pentagon.

It was a solemn moment as the general then handed over the flag of command to Gen. Gray.

Gen. Gray, then in turn presented the unit colors to the new wing commander, Col. Blair Hansen.

Hansen noted with pride that "It's great to be a Gunfighter again."

He is returning to Mountain Home AFB for the third time. From June to December of 1981 he had received F-111 combat training here, and was flight commander/fighter weapons instructor pilot/flight examiner for the 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB from December 1985 to July 1989.

He most recently served at the Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Air Force, as chief of the Combat Forces Division with the Directorate of Programs.

He said he looks forward with enthusiasm to accepting the missions of the future, but he recognizes that accomplishments are not made without sacrifice. He noted the men and women of the 366th are up to the challenge -- both at home and abroad.

"We have the finest combat machines in the world," he said, noting that he has no doubt the support of the team will continue.

He reminded the Gunfighters, "Ride hard, shoot straight and always tell the truth."

Hansen was raised in Independence, Mo. He graduated in 1972 from Harry S. Truman High School. Graduating in 1977 from the University of Missouri, he entered the Air Force in 1979, receiving his commission from Officer Training School in 1980. He received a master's degree in management from Troy State University in 1985.

A Fighter Weapons School graduate, Hansen's flying assignments have included fighter squadron and operations group command in several locations in the United States and abroad. His other staff assignments include the US/ROK Combined Forces Command in Seoul, South Korea, and readiness assessment duties in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He is married to the former Sugin Yo, of Seoul, South Korea. They have two daughters, Gina, 8, and Cheryl Ann, 5. His son, John, is a senior at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Hansen is a Distinguished Graduate of the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, and holds a Master of Science in Management from Troy State University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College.

His awards include the: Defense Superior Service Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service medal (with oak leaf cluster); Air Medal (with three oak leaf clusters); Aerial Achievement Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), and the Combat Readiness Medal (with three oak leaf clusters).