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The men and women of the 86th Airlift Wing welcomed their new commander, Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, Aug. 9.
Brig. Gen. Richard G. Moore Jr. relinquished his command to August in a ceremony at the dual bay hangar.
Reflecting on his time in command, Moore noted that creating command legacies is not about individuals, but teams of Airmen working together.
“No individual commander in an organization this size leaves an individual legacy,” said Moore. “Commanders are part of the ongoing set of initiatives and priorities and responsibilities that started before we got here and carry on long after.”
Moore cited several examples, ranging from base construction projects to local medical initiatives now taking hold across the Air Force. Fantastic Airmen and commanders work together to move the mission forward, he said.
“They knew they had the tools to accomplish what needed to get done, and they made it happen,” said Moore. “I’m proud to have spent a small amount of time here, and to have spent a small amount of time with each of you.”
Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, Third Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. Clark noted Ramstein and the 86th’s legacy and proud heritage.
“This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure,” said Clark, citing Winston Churchill. “As you continue to execute and enable critical missions in some of the most challenging locations this world has to offer, hang on to that enduring courage, because it is you, the 86th Airlift Wing, like the generations before you, who must dare and endure each and every day to ensure that freedom reigns throughout the world.”
Family is essential to success, said Clark, and the Air Force found the perfect team to carry on the legacy of the wing.
“We all know this wasn’t a stroke of luck because you were hand-picked as exactly the right person for this job at exactly the right time,” said Clark.
In their previous wing command at Yokota Air Base, Japan, August and his wife, Cristen, received the 2014 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley Award for the wing commander and spouse whose contributions to the nation, Air Force and local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in key positions.
As the commander of the 86th, August leads a wing composed of seven groups and 31 squadrons across four bases in Germany, Spain, Belgium and Portugal. The 86th conducts U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s only airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation flying operations, as well as providing rapid mobility and expeditionary combat support for military operations.
August expressed gratitude for the chance to come back to Ramstein a third time, having previously served as commander of the 37th Airlift Squadron from 2008 to 2010, and as the 37th’s Chief Pilot Scheduler from 1995 to 1998. He noted the importance of community partners in making the base’s mission so successful.
“We would not be here without the support of our local community,” August said. “I’ve been at Ramstein enough times to know that this base is what it is due to your friendship and partnership. We look forward to continuing that partnership and most importantly, enhancing our friendship.”
August noted the team assembled in formation today would continue its great legacy — and its motto — of enduring courage.
“Commanding the world’s best wing is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said August. “Together, we will take the wing to new heights, we’ll bring it to new opportunities, and we look forward to what the future brings.”
