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Wing Changes Command
Col. John D. Bird II formally took command of the 366th Fighter Wing from Col. James S. Browne during ceremonies Wednesday presided over by 12th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip.
Col. Bird told the Gunfighters assembled for the change of command ceremony in Hanger 211 that his emphasis would be on "mission, people, and championing the Air Force story."
On a day in which the landscape outside the hanger was blanketed with snow, Bird joked that he had traded the white sandy beaches of Florida, where he had been stationed as vice wing commander of the 325th Fighter Wing, for the white, snowy mountains of Idaho, and thanked "whoever put the snow shovel on my front porch this morning. It was well used."
He praised the man he was replacing, and Col. Browne's wife, Alison, for the job they had done, telling the two of them that "your fingerprints are all over this wing."
He told the Gunfighers that "Mountain Home (AFB) has a mystique about it, it's a hidden gem (in the Air Force). There is a culture of excellence here, and I want to capitalize on it."
He also thanked his wife, Megan, for her support, and offered his praise to his two sons, Blake, 12, and Dole, 10, for their willingness to pack up and move in the middle of the school year, and endure the 47-hour drive it took to get to Mountain Home. And he presented his parents, who were present at the ceremony with a pair of flags that had flown with him on his final flight as vice wing commander of the 325th FW.
Browne promised the Gunfighers and Lt. Gen. Seip that he would continue the standards of excellence and warfighting capability that the 366th FW has demonstrated so often in recent years, adding, "may God have mercy on the enemies of this nation when we unleash the combat airpower of this wing" on them.
Bird's remarks came at the end of the change of command ceremony, which saw Col. Browne presented with the Legion of Merit for his leadership in a lengthy list of wing accomplishments cited in the order.
Lt. Gen. Seip opened the ceremonies by noting that "the wing's motto, 'Fortune Favors the Brave', is more than just a catchy phrase," but represents the work of the wing every day.
He praised "the unwavering partnership" between the base, the community of Mountain Home and the state of Idaho, and said that "on behalf of the commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. John Corley, and myself, I thank you for that partnership."
He said that as the Air Force has changed in recent years to a smaller, meaner and leaner force, "the 366th Fighter Wing has led the way."
In praising Col. Browne's leadership, Seip noted that during the wing's many deployments "you have set the standard along the way.
"Jim," he said, turning to Col. Browne, "you can take pride in the outstanding work" the Gunfighters had accomplished under his leadership.
And although, he noted, that Browne would be the first to place the credit for those successes on the wing's personnel, he insisted that "Jim's leadership has been critical to the success of this wing.
"Jim has been a strong and decisive commander," he said.
He also thanked Alison Browne "for the many small things you do every day behind the scenes" that contribute to the morale and success of the wing.
"Jim and Al," he said, "thank your for your leadership, thank you for your compassion."
Seip also noted that, in making the change to a new commander, "the Air Force has sent another great leader and another great commander" to become Gunfighter One, the call sign of the 366th Fighter Wing's commander.
"Col. Bird brings a vast knowledge of Air Force operations" to the job, Seip said. Turning to the new wing commander he added, "John, your outstanding reputation precedes you. It will serve you well in the days ahead as you lead this wing to the next level of excellence."
The 12th AF commander also offered his praise to the men and women stationed at the base "for responding quickly and decisively when called.
"I applaud you for your accomplishments and the high standards you have set.
"To the airmen of the 366th Fighter Wing, thank you for a job well done,'" he said, adding that because of their work, and those of others throughout the force, "the United States Air Force is the most feared and dominating air force in the world today."
Col. Browne, who followed Lt. Gen. Seip, thanked the community for its support of the base and the Gunfighters stationed there.
"Col. Bird," he said, "you are about to take command of one of America's finest wings.
"It is with a heavy heart that I relinquish command," he said, urging the Gunfighters to "be ready to fight, be proud of what you do. Each of your is vital to the Gunfighter mission.
"Being Gunfighter one has been the highlight of my career. It has been a privilege to serve alongside each of you."
Browne will be moving on to the Pentagon where he will direct the office in charge of colonel training for the Air Force.
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