JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Col. Michael Minihan, 89th Airlift Wing commander, accepted the wing guidon and officially assumed command of the 89 AW from outgoing commander Col. Jacqueline Van Ovost at a Change of Command ceremony here Feb. 10.
Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony.
"We only choose commanders who have excelled at their previous command to lead the 89th," Ramsay said. "(Colonel) Minihan is here because he's had phenomenal success in his previous command and met the challenges."
Before relinquishing the wing guidon, Van Ovost addressed the unit members.
"Thanks for your leadership and SAM FOX attitudes," she said. "You have knocked every challenge out of the park, and that's an understatement."
In his first address to his new unit, Minihan set his expectations for continued excellence.
"We are busy and stand ready on the eve of the greatest of American traditions, the presidential election," Minihan said. "We will be busier and will make no compromise to our unrivaled support of America's precious leadership echelon. There is no place I'd rather be."