325th FW welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Isaiah Soliz
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The 325th Fighter Wing welcomed its newest wing commander during a change of command ceremony at Hangar 5, July 13, 2018.

U.S. Air Force Col. Brian Laidlaw, former 325th FW vice commander, assumed command of the wing from Col. Michael Hernandez during the ceremony.

During his speech, Laidlaw thanked all in attendance and went on to express the importance of the wing’s mission and its importance to the security of the nation.

Maj. Gen. Scott Zobrist, 9th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. In attendance were Team Tyndall Airmen, sister service military members and local community leaders.

As part of the ceremony, Zobrist collected the ceremonial guidon from Hernandez and presented it to Laidlaw, symbolizing his acceptance of responsibility as the new wing commander.

As the roar of aircraft engines could be heard spinning up on the flightline, drowning out his voice over the loudspeakers, Laidlaw finished his speech and the ceremony with a message to all of Team Tyndall.

“Our number one priority, as it was under Col. Hernandez, is to do everything in our power to maintain combat readiness. That’s what those jets are out there doing right now,” Laidlaw continued.

“To our ops desk, go ahead and launch the fleet, you have the green light. You [have] important missions to fly today and that is bottom line our most important mission.”