455th EMSG Change of Command

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Col. Patricia Searcy, commander of the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, returns a salute from the 455th EMSG here on July 10, 2008. This salute was the traditional "first salute" welcoming Colonel Searcy following the 455th EMSG's change of command ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

455th EMSG Change of Command

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Brig. Gen. James Holmes, commander of the 455th Air Expedtionary Wing, salutes the flag during the singing of the national anthem here on July 10, 2008. General Holmes presided over the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group's change of command ceremony. General Holmes remarked, "I don't know if it's the time of day that I really enjoy ... listening to the national anthem, being played on the dusty planes of Afghanistan ... it's just a good moment, I think, to be here."(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

455th EMSG Change of Command

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Col. Barry Mines, commander of the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, addresses the audience during the 455th EMSG's change of command ceremony here on July 10, 2008. Colonel Mines summed up his command saying, "Yes - the mission comes first, but without people there would be no mission. You had a choice and you chose to serve.? (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

455th EMSG Change of Command

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Col. Barry Mines (right), commander of the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, salutes Brig. Gen. James Holmes (left), commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, here on July 10, 2008. General Holmes presided over the 455th EMSG's change of command ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

455th EMSG Change of Command

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Lt. Col. Dawn Keasley, deputy commander of the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, commands a formation of Airmen representing the 455th EMSG here on July 10, 2008. The formation was part of the 455th EMSG's change of command, honoring the service of the previous commander, Col. Barry Mines, and welcoming the new commander, Col. Patricia Searcy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

455th EMSG holds change of command

Published July 14, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
455th AEW/PA

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- After serving for one year as commander of the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Col. Barry Mines officially relinquished command to Col. Patricia Searcy during a change of command ceremony held here July 10.

As a previous commander of different support units, Colonel Mines was aware of how the EMSG contributed to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in "Fighting Terror, Building Peace."

"If the aircrew can't rest, then they can't fly. If the airplanes can't get fuel then they can't fly," said Colonel Mines. "Our motto in the EMSG is 'Without support, mission abort."

With this motto in mind, Colonel Mines and the Airmen of the 455th EMSG worked to enhance the wing's mission capabilities. Under his leadership, the Airfield Master Plan was rewritten to be included in the Army's Combined Joint Task Force Bagram Master Plan and established a five-year strategy to shape $460 million worth of future developments. He drove negotiations to upgrade the firefighting capability, thus boosting Bagram Airfield's cargo capability. Additionally, when the F-15 fleet was grounded, Colonel Mines led the 455th EMSG in short-notice beddown of A-10 aircraft and personnel, guaranteeing uninterrupted close air support for ground forces.

In the one year Colonel Mines served as commander, the 455th EMSG also improved quality of life for Airmen assigned to Bagram Airfield. A $15 million contract was awarded to construct 19 re-locatable dormitories for 1,700 deployed Airmen. In just nine months, more than 300 Airmen moved into three of these new dormitories, containing indoor latrines and showers.

"Each squadron in the mission support group has made a significant impact on the mission here at Bagram and in Afghanistan," said Colonel Mines. "Security Forces has provided superb flightline security as well as fly-away security to aircraft in austere locations. LRS has pumped record amounts of fuel to fighter and transport aircraft, as well as moved thousands of tons of cargo. Services has worked relentlessly to keep air personnel housed and to obtain better living furnishings. The Civil Engineer Squadron has worked closely with the Army Corps of Engineers to award the project to construct re-locatable dormitories and to bring several new facilities online."

Before relinquishing command, Colonel Mines was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his accomplishments by Brig. Gen. Mike Holmes, 455th AEW commander.

"Only a team can accomplish the things that they accomplished," said General Holmes. "You can be proud of all that you've done."

Colonel Mines echoed these sentiments in his final message to the Airmen under his command.

"I ask you to continue to be good wingmen, to look after each other, to focus on the mission at hand and to do whatever job you need to do to support the mission," he said. "Be consistent and persistent in your service. Yes - the mission comes first, but without people there would be no mission. Remember why you are here - you are here to serve, not to be served. I thank you for your service to our great nation. You had a choice and you chose to serve."

Colonel Mines is returning to his position as dean of the Civil Engineer and Services School at the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Colonel Searcy is deployed from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., where she serves as Faculty, Department of International Security Studies at the Air War College. She will serve as the 455th EMSG commander for one year.

"Colonel Searcy has a history of being focused on her people," General Holmes said. "She knows what it takes to run a squadron, she knows what it takes to run a group, and she knows what it takes to run a wing. I know she'll be a great teammate to all of us as we continue to excel in all that we do."