JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Col. Ken Rizer relinquished command of the "Chief's Own" 11th Wing, to Col. Bill Knight during a change-of-command ceremony in Hangar 3 here July 6.
"Overall, Andrews has been my most-memorable assignment," said Rizer. "I've had the opportunity to see things and meet with people that isn't afforded to commanders at other bases. I am thankful for the remarkable Airmen here, with their youthful swagger and quiet confidence, for representing the very best of the Air Force to our nation and the world."
As commander of the 374th Airlift Wing, Knight was responsible for the management, training, command and control of the Department of Defense's only airlift wing in the Pacific theater. As the Western Pacific airlift hub, Yokota provides mission ready forces and base operating support for a U.S. forward presence and crisis response.
Knight, a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours in KC-135, C-130 and T-38 aircraft, entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He graduated from Auburn University, Ala. In 1989, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, followed by a Masters of Business Administration degree in 1990.
Knight also earned his Masters of Military Operations degree at Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., in 2002.
Some of Knight's previous assignments include: Chief of Joint Education Branch; Deputy Chief of Joint Education and Doctrine Division; Directorate of Operational Plans; and Joint Force Development Directorate of the Joint Staff all located at the Pentagon. He has also been an Air Force Fellow with the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Knight, who served as the 374 ALW commander for three months following more than a year as the vice commander, reflected on his experience gained there as a team to accomplish the mission.
"Great teams have three distinct attributes - talent, character and a commitment to excellence," said Knight. "All are essential to achieve the objectives of the team. I am confident that the 'Chiefs Own' 11th Wing will continue to shine as we work together to seamlessly accomplish the many missions of the Presidential base."
The 11th Wing is the host wing for Joint Base Andrews providing security, personnel, contracting, finance and infrastructure support for six wings, two headquarters and more than 50 tenant organizations, as well as 60,000 Airmen and families in the National Capital Region and around the world. Furthermore, the 11th Wing supports contingency operations in our nation's capital with immediate response rotary-assets. It also provides security for the world's highest visibility flight line and is responsible for ceremonial support with the United States Air Force Band, Honor Guard and Air Force Arlington Chaplaincy.