JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Colonel Ken Rizer officially took command of the 316th Wing and Joint Base Andrews during a change of command ceremony held June 4 here in Hangar 3. The ceremony was hosted by Maj. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, Air Force District of Washington commander.
The ceremony, which was witnessed by hundreds of Joint Base Andrews personnel, signified the transition of command from Col. Steven M. Shepro to Colonel Rizer.
General Jones praised Colonel Shepro's role in leading Andrews through enormous accomplishments such as becoming the first Joint Base in the Department of Defense, transitioning to privatized housing on base, playing a vital role in the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and two Joint Service Open House air shows.
General Jones then expressed excitement over what the future of Andrews holds with Colonel Rizer taking command.
Colonel Rizer took the podium and expressed his goals for the future of Joint Base Andrews.
"To the men and women of the 316th Wing, I commend you on your past accomplishments and look forward to leading you through future challenges, to include the 11th wing merger, our first unit compliance inspection, and a flightline mission reorganization, among others. We're going to do all of this while supporting and defending the National Capital Region, deploying combat ready airmen and providing world class support to the president and other high level leaders. I know Team Andrews can accomplish all of this and more and I look forward to doing so together."
Prior to being selected to lead the 316th Wing, Colonel Rizer was Deputy Director for Strategic Synchronization; Information Operations Division Chief and Executive Assistant to Deputy Commander and Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. He has commanded at the squadron and group levels, and is a command pilot with more than 2,600 flying hours.