JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The home of Air Force One has a new commander.
Colonel David L. Almand took command of the 89th Airlift Wing from Col. Mike Minihan in a ceremony here today.
"Thank you for placing this sacred trust upon me. This is the greatest day of my Air Force career, and it is a privilege for us to join the SAM Fox family," said Almand.
Both former and new commanders agreed that the wing's successes are made possible by its most valuable resource--it's people.
"You are the best and brightest Mobility Airmen in the world," said Almand. "This ceremony today allows us to celebrate the awesome responsibility that we have. We will ensure the standard of perfection prevails."
Lt. Gen. Darren W. McDew, commander of 18th Air Force, presided over the ceremony and presented Minihan the Legion of Merit, awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct.
Minihan moves to Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam, Hawaii, where he will serve as deputy director of operations.
"Thank you to the members of the 89th Airlift Wing. It's simply humbling to watch you in action. You will always occupy the position of honor and have my eternal respect and gratitude," said Minihan.
Almand, a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, comes to the 89th after serving as the commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. A command pilot with more than 4,100 flight hours, Almand has flown the C-141B, C-17A and KC-135R aircraft in support of multiple operations in Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 89th Airlift Wing is responsible for worldwide special air mission airlift, logistics, aerial port and communications support for the President, Vice President, cabinet members, combatant commanders and other senior military and elected leaders as tasked by the White House, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Air Mobility Command.