387th AEG welcomes new commander

Published July 14, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
386th Air Expeditionary Airlift Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Members of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group, known informally as "The Tiger Tails," welcomed their new leader during an official change-of-command ceremony at an undisclosed base here July 13.

Col. Tal Metzgar assumed command of the 387th AEG after taking hold of the unit's guidon in a military ceremony whose traditions date to the 18th century. Passing the guidon to the incoming commander as the unit bears witness is a long-standing custom that symbolizes the transfer of power from one leader to another. The one who receives the flag holds the unit's allegiance.

That allegiance is now directed to Colonel Metzgar, who assumed command of the 387th AEG after Col. Randy Davis stepped down. The new commander will lead more than 450 Coalition forces and civilian contractors at the U.S. Air Force's busiest aerial port of debarkation in the world.

He has an enviable act to follow, according to Col. Patrick Mordente, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, who praised the outgoing Colonel Davis for his tremendous accomplishments as group commander over the past year.

"Randy hit the ground running and quickly laid out a strategic vision that improved interoperability with our host nation partners and the operation of the aerial port," said Colonel Mordente, who presided over the ceremony. "He delivered across the board 24/7, and 365 days a year."

Colonel Davis' legacy includes a record of outstanding cooperation between U.S. and host-nation officials. He ensured the safe and efficient movement of cargo and personnel throughout the region by completing airfield-pavement repairs and numerous security improvements, Colonel Mordente explained. He also oversaw more than $3 million in quality-of-life improvements that helped boost troop morale and productivity at 387th AEG facilities.

"My challenge to every commander is to make the unit better than they found it," said Colonel Mordente. "He definitely exceeded that threshold."

Colonel Davis received a Bronze Star Medal for his achievements while leading more than 750 Airmen as commander of The Tiger Tails. They provided base security and operability for U.S. Central Command's busiest aerial port of debarkation, moving more than 5,000 aircraft, 720,000 passengers, 189,000 tons of cargo and 3,000 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles during Colonel Davis' year-long command, according to the award citation. This movement made up more than 40 percent of strategic air cargo processed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom in the past 12 months.

In his comments to the audience members who gathered for the ceremony, Colonel Davis credited his team members with helping make those achievements possible.

"I could never accomplish anything if I didn't have the support," Colonel Davis said. "I look like a hero because of all the hard work you all do," he said to the Airmen of the 387th AEG.

Just as the passing of the guidon symbolized the official transfer of command, Colonel Davis took a few moments to hand off another, more concrete, signifier of leadership: his cell phone.

"The phone is what makes the boss get a hold of you," he said lightly to Colonel Metzgar. "I want to introduce you to your new partner for the next 365 days."

Colonel Mordente introduced the incoming commander, Colonel Metzgar, as an outstanding leader in his own right. With nearly 4,000 flight hours in training and mobility aircraft, Colonel Metzgar comes to the 387th AEG with a "phenomenal background," he said.

"Tal will be the perfect commander to build on the success of the 387th 'Tiger Tails' and take them to even higher levels," he said. "It is great to have him on the team."

The new commander thanked Colonel Davis for making the transition smooth and leading the 387th AEG in a "tradition of excellence."

"This is going to be a tough act to follow," said Colonel Metzgar. "Thank you to the men and women of the 387th in what you do. I know it's not easy, especially being away from home, but I look forward to getting to know you and continuing that tradition of excellence."

Colonel Metzgar arrived here from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he served as the chief of the Operations, Readiness and Intelligence Division at Air Education and Training Command. He also has commanded the 58th Airlift Squadron at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and attended the Naval War College in Newark, Rhode Island.