455th AEW changes command

Published April 28, 2007
By Capt. Travis B. Tougaw
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt took charge of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing during a change-of-command ceremony here April 27.

U.S. Central Command Air Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Gary North presided over the ceremony in which General Hyatt took the reins of the 455th AEW from Brig. Gen. Christopher Miller.

General North praised the men and women of the 455th AEW for the work they do in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "You have proven, particularly in this rotation, under challenging conditions that you clearly know how to get the Airman's job done," he said. "Your continued success under General Hyatt is not only vital to Afghanistan and operations in CENTCOM, it's important to the future of our families and our nation as well because we must never forget the attacks on America's homeland and the homelands of many of our coalition partners around the world."

General Hyatt comes to Bagram from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., where he commanded the 20th Fighter Wing. This is his second tour here.

"I spent five months here back in 2002," he said. "I regard it as the highlight of my career, and I think I'm getting ready for round two of the highlight of my career because of the great Americans and coalition partners we work with. I'm proud to be here with you, I'm proud to serve with you, and I'm proud to help you take the fight to the enemy."

General Hyatt expressed confidence that the wing will continue to achieve the same results as under General Miller's command. "You're going to continue doing great work day in and day out supporting our Soldiers and Marines on the ground and our coalition partners on the ground in prosecuting the attack against the enemy," he said.

General Miller's next assignment is as the director of the Pans, Policy, and Strategy Directorate for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs. "You were a privilege to command and a pleasure to work with," he said in addressing his Airmen for the final time. "I hope that you, too, can go home certain of the value of this fight for the humanity that we all hold dear and be ready to help your fellow citizens understand the importance of continuing to support our joint and coalition efforts here."

A time-honored military tradition, the change of command dates back to the 18th century and Frederick the Great of Prussia. The ceremony affords the fighting force the opportunity to witness their new leader assume the position of authority.