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Welcome remarks: Scott AFB to be campus of "Leadership University"

  • Published
  • By Col. Michael Hornitschek
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Editor's note: The following are excerpts from the Change of Command welcome speech given June 25.

...I Love My Job! I'll say it again, I Love My Job! Not because I get to drive a very blue car with a white top, or work in a big office with enormous columns at the front of the building, but because I have the privilege of serving in the best Air Force in the world and most importantly, I get to lead and serve alongside inspiring Airmen who make an enormous contribution to history by enabling combat power each and every day!
 
...I promise that I will ... work diligently and enthusiastically to not only ensure mission success, but also do my part in making Scott AFB the best place in the Air Force to live and work.

...I share with you a true testimonial: when we left Scott AFB after our first assignment in 2003, Polly said to me, "Mike, I'd be very happy to come back here again." After 21 years and 10 different bases, this is still the only place to receive that stamp of approval, and should indicate to you how excited we are to return. I attribute this attraction not only to a beautiful and well-kept base, robust Airmen & family support systems, and wholesome Midwestern values, but also to this base's unmatched relationship with the greater surrounding Scott communities. To all of our community partners, thank you for your genuine support over the years--I look forward to continuing the spirit of partnership for betterment of all our citizens here in the great State of Illinois and the greater St. Louis area.

...The 375 AMW has a very proud history based on excellence and the hard work of its Airmen. Sustained achievement can only be realized through motivational leadership at every level of the organization. Individual leader development is a career long journey, and I view one of my prime roles as developing leaders capable of handling any challenge, whether they be in combat, garrison, or elsewhere.

...And so because the Airmen of the 375th will hear me repeat this many times in the months to come, I am putting you on notice that I declare this to be the "Scott Campus" of "Leadership University", and I ask you all to join me on an exciting leadership development journey. Together we will take care of the wing's mission and ensure the comprehensive fitness of our Airmen.

... I also want to express my sincere thanks to all who contributed in creating this morning's change of command ceremony. It is a thankless job many times, but I'm thanking you, because you and your teammates have made a positive first impression on my family and I, and a recurring impression of excellence for our base regulars. Your actions serve to keep the Air Force's heritage and culture accounts full.

... I reserve the greatest thanks for my own immediate family: my loving wife, Polly, and our son, Forrest, and daughter Sydney, for growing into and then adopting the Air Force as their own family. Thank you for supporting my desire to serve, and thank you for agreeing to serve again in your own way with this amazing new assignment.