49th MXG Change of Command

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica Stamps
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N. M. --  The 49th Maintenance Group held a Change of Command ceremony in Hangar 301, July 11.

Friends and family of Team Holloman watched as Col. David Krumm, 49th Wing commander, shared some accomplishments of the outgoing 49th MXG commander.

"When it counted, the Maintenance Group generated, deployed and regenerated aircraft to help us earn an overall 'Excellent' rating during that (Operational Readiness inspection) and they said it couldn't be done," Colonel Krumm said. "They said we were destined for failure. That was something that his leadership prevented."

During his command of the 49th MXG, Col. Donald Van Patten managed, planned, programmed and implemented policies that affected 1,200 maintenance personnel across four squadrons. He ensured all on and off aircraft maintenance met 49th Wing operational training and contingency tasking.

Following Colonel Krumm's speech, Colonel Van Patten stepped to the podium to say his final words of appreciation and wisdom to the Airmen of the 49th MXG.

"We can't focus on the past," Colonel Van Patten said. "I challenge you to focus on the future with safety, compliance, discipline and communication.

Following Colonel Van Patten's speech, the Airmen stood at attention and rendered a final salute before the introduction of the new commander.

Welcoming the new commander with the tradition of the presentation of the guidon, Colonel Krumm passed it on to Col. Andre Kennedy, making him the new 49th MXG commander.

"I'm truly honored, I'm proud and humbled to be serving with the 49ers," said Colonel Kennedy. "This wing and group has a truly outstanding reputation throughout the Air Force. As director and contributor to you guys out there in the field and to the troops, I definitely appreciate that and I'm definitely going to do my part to continue to grow that reputation."

Serving as a career aircraft maintenance officer since 1989, Colonel Kennedy's latest assignment gave him the opportunity to serve as the director of aircraft maintenance and senior advisor to the Iraqi Air Force Directorate of Aircraft Maintenance in Baghdad.

After witnessing the change of command, the Airmen saluted their newly appointed commander and sang the Air Force song in unison.

For more information on the 49th MXG Change of Command visit the Holloman website at www.Holloman.af.mil.