German Air Force Flying Training Center Logistics Group under new command

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Robert Meints
  • GAF FTC Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The German Air Force Flying Training Center Logistics Group welcomed a new commanding officer during a ceremony June 23, 2010.

Lt. Col. Ekkehard Stemmer relinquished command to Lt. Col. Walter Kirchhoff.

Colonel Stemmer said goodbye after almost three challenging and rewarding years of duty abroad. He said goodbye to "his" Logistics Group and to friends and people he worked with at Holloman Air Force Base. In his farewell address he also made a point of stating New Mexico has taken a special place in his heart.

"I had the chance to enjoy the beauty, quiet and peacefulness of a wonderful landscape," he said.

For Colonel Stemmer, a native of Ueberlingen on Lake Constance, two dreams came true in connection with this assignment: to command a logistics group and to do so at Holloman Air Force Base.

Moreover, he successfully completed his post-graduate studies which he began in his spare time while holding an assignment with Helmut Schmidt University, the Bundeswehr University of Hamburg, in the field of mechanical engineering, for which he was awarded the academic degree of PhD (Dr.-Ing.) in 2008.

His time with the Logistics Group was characterized by a substantial reduction in staff, an increase in annual working hours and, most recently, challenges with equipment and materiel shortfalls.

Colonel Stemmer is headed to the Air Staff with the Federal Ministry of Defense as an Assistant Branch Chief for the Tornado weapon system in Germany.

His successor at Holloman Air Force Base, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Kirchhoff wished him all the best, soldiers' luck and an adept hand in all he will do.

Colonel Kirchhoff, who is not a newcomer to Holloman, held a previous assignment with the Air Staff where he was in charge of all matters dealing with the introduction of the new military transport aircraft A400M. He gained his first experiences with the German Air Force Flying Training Center here during an assignment as squadron commander of the 2nd Line Maintenance Squadron from 1999 until 2002.

He expressed his thanks to the outgoing commander for organizing the ceremony and wished him all the best in his future job with the Air Staff.

Following the hand-over of command, the outgoing commander of the Logistics Group had to undergo an obligatory special farewell ritual together with his S3 Operations Officer, Captain Marcus Bugge, who is also returning to Germany. Captain Bugge was in charge of coordinating the technical measures within the Logistics Group.

The change of command ceremony was followed by a reception.