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Colonel Kwast takes reins of lone wing in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  Two colonels, who crossed paths as wing commanders of Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., nearly three years ago, crossed paths once again during a change of command ceremony at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, April 18. 

Brig. Gen. Mike Holmes relinquished command of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing to Col. Steven Kwast after serving as the unit's commander for 13 months.

"I've been honored by the opportunity to serve along the best people," General Holmes said to hundreds of Airmen standing in formation on Bagram's flightline. "You all found ways to say yes instead of reasons to say no. We've made the wing better with every Air Expeditionary Force cycle."

The voice of the general who had flown more than 80 combat missions in Afghanistan trembled as he uttered his final words to his Airmen before handing over the wing guidon to Colonel Kwast.

"I'll miss you and I'll think of you always. Start right, finish strong," he said.

Colonel Kwast, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot who has flown more than 230 combat hours during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom, also took command of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour-Johnson AFB from then Colonel Holmes in 2006.

"It's time for change at the 455th AEW," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central commander, who presided over the ceremony. "This is the fifth time we've had a new leader at Bagram. I'm no stranger to either of these warriors ... both have served under me at the 9th Air Force, but this time we're thousands of miles away in a war zone."

General North gave words of encouragement to Colonel Kwast who recently served as the Deputy Director of Requirements at Headquarters Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"[Colonel] Kwast, this upcoming year will be the highlight of your career," General North said as he stressed the importance of leading servicemembers on the front lines. "[Colonel Kwast] you are the right commander, you are the right leader, you are the right Airman to lead this wing," General North said. "Your task is simple. Continuously infuse the warrior ethos of excellence in everything you do. Integrate in a seamless fashion in the joint fight. Fly, fight and, as always, win."

In his first address as the 455th AEW commander, Colonel Kwast asked Airmen to remember why they are thousands of miles away from friends and family.

"It's an important time to connect the dots," he said. "Every action you take, every day in this fight, contributes to something much greater than any one of our nations or services. [You are all part] of a global vision that peacemakers will rule this world and evil doers will never last. This is our challenge."

In the few days since he arrived here Wednesday, Colonel Kwast said he has been impressed by what he has seen at Bagram.

"I've seen Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and coalition warriors who show a positive attitude and can-do spirit with humility ... an iron spine ... and fire in their eyes to fight."

The 23-year Air Force veteran urged his Airmen to keep those characteristics and remain vigilant in spite of deployed life's long work hours and sometimes monotonous nature.

"Remember, we are at war," he said. "When you start feeling the numbness of daily behavior, stop, shake yourself and remind yourself that you are part of something great. You are part of something historians will talk about that defines a different world. You are a key player right here, right now, today."

The 455th AEW provides close air support, air mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation and electronic attack capabilities for U.S. and coalition forces at Bagram and Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan. As commander of the Air Force's only wing in Afghanistan, Colonel Kwast oversees more than 4,000 Airmen - including more than 1,200 Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airmen assigned to forward operating bases and sites throughout Afghanistan.

Since March 2008, the 455th AEW has conducted more than 20,000 combat close air support sorties, airlifted more than 95,000 passengers, employed more than 1 million pounds of ordnance, moved 66 million pounds of cargo and transported more than 3,500 medical patients safely. Additionally, the wing increased its unmanned aerial system presence in theater by 50 percent over the past year.