New commander takes on Holloman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  During the 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, change of command ceremony Jan. 11, Col. Jeffrey Harrigian took reigns of Holloman's highest ranking position.

Colonel Harrigian officially succeeded Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, now the deputy chief of staff, Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force, located at the Pentagon. 

The new commander comes to Holloman from the 1st Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Va., where he was the vice wing commander. This is his second assignment to Holloman.

"Together we'll continue the long lasting tradition here in the Fightin' 49ers of delivering decisive air power for America," said Colonel Harrigian, the 58th commander of Holloman Air Force Base.

The ceremony was full of military tradition. The wing gave a final salute to General Goldfein before he relinquished command by passing the 49 FW guidon to Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, 12th Air Force commander and presiding officer. General Seip then passed the guidon to Colonel Harrigian, symbolizing the assumption of command. The colonel then received his first salute from the wing as commander. 

During the ceremony, Colonel Harrigian told the wing how excited he is to be the new commander and what he has in store for Holloman.

"Team Holloman, I'm very much looking forward to working with you and for you," he said. "The diverse missions here exemplify our joint and expeditionary culture. It's truly an impressive story that we must share."

Colonel Harrigian, laying out his plan for the new mission coming to Holloman, said, "Our mission is clear - to fly, fight and win. At the same time, we'll seamlessly and efficiently transition from the F-117 to the F-22. This process will require innovation and patience, but it will be a lot of fun. In no time, we'll once again be delivering decisive combat airpower for America. This is an historic time for Team Hollomogordo, where we will certainly have an impact on the future of our Air Force and our nation."