Gunfighters welcome their new commander

Col. David Iverson, right, is presented with the wing guidon from 12th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Tod Wolters during Tuesday's change of command ceremony.

Airmen at Mountain Home Air Force Base welcomed a new commander during a ceremony Tuesday morning.

Col. David Iverson became the 54th person to command the 366th Fighter Wing during the course of its 60-plus year history.

In his initial comments as Gunfighter 1 -- the title bestowed on those who lead the fighter wing here -- the colonel contended that the Gunfighters represent the finest wing in the Air Force.

"From Europe to Asia to the Middle East, this wing has consistently proven it greatness," he said.

That greatness came from the sacrifices made by those that have served with the wing in previous generations and continue to serve here today, he added.

The colonel acknowledged that the Gunfighters will face many challenges at home and in combat, but emphasized that the men and women of the wing will continue to rise to the occasion.

"As the United States shifts its focus to the Pacific and deals with new threats... and the uncertainty of our future force structure, there will be many challenges ahead of us," he said. "But every challenge is an opportunity."

During Tuesday's ceremony, 12th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Tod Wolters highlighted the tremendous challenges the wing overcame in just the past two years under the leadership of outgoing commander Col. Chris Short.

The Gunfighters "delivered security across the globe and built partnerships for future conflicts in the west," the general said. In less than 24 months, the wing flew nearly 2,000 sorties, including 31 combat missions against enemy forces in southwest Asia.

During those combat engagements, the Gunfighters neutralized six high-value targets, which translated to saving the lives of thousands of individuals.

"The are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives and sons and daughters across American today who have the luxury to hug their mom and dad as the result of the blood, sweat and tears poured into this wing," Wolters said.

"This wing has won today's fight, and this wing is ready to win tomorrow's fight," the general said.

For Iverson, his assignment to Mountain Home represents a homecoming of sorts. He recalled spending his summers working on his uncle's farm in northern Idaho, vacationing in McCall and spending a year at the University of Idaho.

"This truly is coming back home," said Iverson, who previously served as the director of operations for U.S. Forces Japan at Yokota Air Base.