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New commander takes charge of 52nd FW

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany - --  
A new commander took charge of the 52nd Fighter Wing during an assumption of command ceremony at Hangar 1 here Feb. 5, 2015.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph McFall accepted responsibility of the 52nd FW in front of Airmen, local leaders and family. 

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony in which McFall, former commander of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, took charge of the wing formerly led by U.S. Air Force Col. Peter Bilodeau.

"I am confident you will be able to take this wing to where it needs to go," said the general, who also served as wing commander here from 2006 to 2008, to McFall. "And to the 52nd FW members, follow your leader and continue to be forward, ready and ready now."

This command represents McFall's second assignment at Spangdahlem Air Base, having last served here in 2012 through 2013 as vice commander of the 52nd FW.

"Thank you for this wonderful opportunity," said McFall during his first address to the wing. "You and Saber Nation will get my best every day."

McFall inherits the wing as its 27th commander since its activation as the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing in December 1971. He is also a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, including 795 combat hours over Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan in operations Allied Force, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"As we work together to strengthen the Saber Nation in the future, I want to focus on three mission areas, our wing pillars, Mission, Airmen and Community" McFall said. "The mission simply stated: We deliver airpower to the COCOM commander. That's why we're all here. Each and every one of you have a part in delivering airpower."

McFall also emphasized the importance of cultivating the wing's strong friendships and caring for all Sabers.

"To our partners, we will be active and healthy members of your towns and regions," McFall said. "To our families, we will always strive to ensure you feel as welcomed and connected as the McFall family feels right now. Remember, if one of our pillars is out of balance then the structure is unstable. If we grow each of them, the Saber Nation grows stronger."

As Saber Lead, McFall now leads five groups, 23 squadrons and 16 geographically separated units spread across five countries, with approximately 8,100 active duty military members, family members, U.S. civilians, host-nation employees and retirees.

"I leave you today with one challenge, Spangdahlem," McFall said in closing. "Leave this place better than you found it."

An assumption of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit to a commanding officer.