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380AEW Article

380th Air Expeditionary Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs Office
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Monday, Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo, Jr. assumed command of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. 

Officiating the change of command ceremony was Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, Ninth Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central Commander. 

During the ceremony, General North addressed the welcoming of a new commander, the wing's accomplishments, and his expectations for the 380th's new leadership and its continuing mission. 

"Some of you were here two years ago, some of you were here last year, and many of you will be here in the years to follow," he said. "So, the accomplishments are your
accomplishments. The accomplishments of the wing rest squarely on the shoulders of incredible warrior Airmen. Countless are alive today because of this wing's accomplishments." 

The General stressed that leadership is what makes accomplishments possible.
Speaking to General Polumbo, General North addressed the year to come, and his
expectations. 

"It will not be a dog-day year, but you will be very busy," he said.  "You will form the genesis of this wing to take it to the next plane as we continue the fight in the war on terror, and certainly as we continue our relationship with our host and the country team. You will drive to ensure that we can establish the stability and security of Iraq and Afghanistan. 

"You will learn from [General Polumbo] and he will learn from you," he said to the crowd. "The mission of the wing will continue. You will infuse the warrior ethos. Many of our warriors have been here time and time again. Some 30 percent are on their first combat rotation. So, the very simple words of 'Fly, Fight, and Win' is what our Air Force is all about." 

General North also spoke on General Polumbo's career, his ability to lead, and his accomplishments. 

"He has time in fighters, he has time in ISR, he has staff time, he understands the U-2, he understands refueling, he understands command and control, and he certainly
understands relationships," said the General. "Most importantly, he is soon to be a three-time wing commander, and that brings an incredible command experience." 

General North finished with a quote from John F. Kennedy. 

"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility, I welcome it," cited the General. "No one understands this better than you, he said. We do not shrink from the task. We cannot shrink from the task. And while we're here today to change command, the command of the wing remains steady, allowing you, the Airmen of the wing, to continue to do your mission every day." 

With his first words to the wing, General Polumbo reiterated the 380th's mission statement: The wing conducts combat operations directed by the President of the United States in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. We employ four aircraft, conducting combat missions in joint and combined air operations with Army, Navy, Marine Corps and coalition forces. 

"Airmen, we can never forget what we're here for," said General Polumbo. "Our
country, our president, our leadership expects a great deal from us, and places a
great deal of trust in each of us. And all our leaders expect us to exemplify the core values of our United Sates Air Force each and every day we come to work. Pay attention to detail in everything you do every day." 

General Polumbo spoke on the wing's credo of "One Team, One Fight." 

"We need to remember we're all on the same team, whether we're from the Guard or Reserve, civilian or contractors," he said. "We're all fighting together with our coalition friends and allies against a common enemy. And each of us comes from different backgrounds. So it's 'One Team, One Fight,' but I also add multiple cultures." 

The General stressed that we're guests of our host country and the importance of taking advantage of their culture. 

"Something that I take very seriously as a new person in a country is to take advantage of the new cultures, the new experiences, the great people that I meet, and the great
experiences that I'll have as I get to know all the great people of our host nation. And I ask each and every one of you to do the same thing. 

"Simply stated, our mission assigned by General North is to fly the tasking order every day, to manage the AEF transition every time, and to maintain good order and discipline all the time. If we do that, we'll be successful. I paused for a second, as I passed by the circle of honor this morning, and remembered why we're here today, and remembered the men and women who lost their lives in terrorist attacks around the world. I look forward to getting the mission done side-by-side with each and every one of you in the days and weeks to come."