McDaniel accepts command of Support Group at Vance

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Colonel Michael McDaniel accepted command of the 71st Mission Support Group at a ceremony held June 17 at Vance AFB, Okla.

The 71st Flying Training Wing commander, Col. Russ Mack, officiated the transfer of command from Col. Tim Gibson to Colonel McDaniel during the ceremony, held at 10 a.m. in Hangar 199.

The change of command began with the arrival of the official party and presentation of the colors by the Silver Talon Honor Guard. The national anthem was sang a cappella by Chandler Steckbeck, Kyle Doud, Brendon Arnold and Jessica Gibson, the Oklahoma Bible Academy quartet.

Chaplain (Maj.) Randy Sellers gave the invocation, followed by remarks by Colonel Mack.

"Thank you (Colonel Gibson) for all that you have done for the 71st Mission Support Group and the men and women of the 71st Flying Training Wing," said Colonel Mack. "We're going to miss you.

"But as we close out this chapter of the 71st MSG, we start another," said Colonel Mack. "Today we welcome the new command team."

Colonel Mack then presented Colonel Gibson the Legion of Merit for his service to Vance from July 2009 to the present.

"To the men and the women of the 71st Mission Support Group," said Colonel Gibson, "You are an absolutely outstanding group of Airmen. It has really been a privilege to serve with you, to learn from you."

The commander of the troops, Lt. Col. Richard Ward, the 71st MSG deputy commander, brought the troop formation to attention and rendered Colonel Gibson his final salute as the group's commander.

Colonel Gibson then relinquished the group guidon to Colonel Mack, who then presented it to Colonel McDaniel after Capt. Brian Kinney, the master of ceremony, read the special order that transferred command of the 71st MSG.

The troop formation then rendered their first salute to the new commander.

"It is a privilege to be here and to be a member and servant-leader of the 71st MSG," said Colonel McDaniel. "I can't tell you how happy I am, after two joint assignments ... to be back home in the Air Force."

After Colonel McDaniel's remarks, the official party departed Hangar 199. A reception was held at the Vance Collocated Club.

Colonel Gibson will become the 10th Air Base Wing commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo.

Colonel McDaniel comes to Vance from Fort Eustis, Va., where he served as the director of the Joint Deployment Training Center with the United States Joint Forces Command.

The 71st MSG is responsible for all support for the Vance mission and community, including civil engineering, security and law enforcement, communications, personnel functions, supply, transportation, recreation activities and contracting.