New commander takes reins of 944th FW

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andre Bowser
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A common thread linked two leaders during a seamless change of command ceremony of the 944th Fighter Wing April 4.

That thread was their mission: training reserve Airmen to fight and win.

Col. Michael G. Popovich assumed command from Col. Richard W. Scobee after serving as vice commander for the past year.

As the name of Colonel Scobee was removed from an F-16 parked in Hangar 999 revealing beneath it the name of Colonel Popovich, the fighter wing, families and distinguished guests applauded vigorously, welcoming their new commander, and bidding a fond farewell to the other.

The common leadership thread was also apparent after the two colonels had worked side-by-side for more than a year -- a convenience that made the transition of responsibility as seamless as a new and well-sewn rank.

Both colonels were moving on to new challenges and assuming greater responsibilities, according to a senior speaker at the event.

Tenth Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas Coon presided over the ceremony, and also officially announced the ascension of Colonel Scobee to the position of wing commander of the 301st Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.

"This is the official announcement of this move," General Coon told the audience. He also said he noticed Colonel Popovich's leadership potential long before he decided to move Colonel Scobee to his new position, in which he'll oversee a wing with more than 1,500 personnel.

The major general said Colonel Popovich had been groomed for the top position at the 944th FW, which made his decision easy in selecting him. Colonel Popovich, who has more than 3,300 flight hours, including 293 combat hours, thanked the major general for attending his change of command, as well as Colonel Scobee for his leadership.

Colonel Scobee said he had heartily recommended Colonel Popovich as commander, one which he had already assumed for a significant length of time when Colonel Scobee was deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, where he was the commander of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group.

The sentiment behind Colonel Scobee's words exhibited a time-tested partnership coming to an end. "Change is inevitable," he said.

A similar, sobering tone came through in Colonel Popovich's voice when he first spoke. He placed the Airmen first as he immediately pointed back to a time when he was a second lieutenant much closer to the junior ranks.

"I can remember standing at change of command ceremonies and melting lip a popsicle, and I made a promise to myself that I would never put anyone through that," Colonel Popovich said. "But when you finally get to stand in this spot, you realize that there are so many people to thank for helping you get here."

Colonel Popovich thanked his family and the many active and reserve members in attendance, all of whom had come to honor and support his ascension to commander of the 944 Fighter Wing -- a natural step in his distinguished career.

Among Colonel Popovich's many distinguished military honors, he received a Distinguished Flying Cross for missions flown in Desert Storm, a Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and individual mission Air Medals.

Colonel Popovich spoke of raising Airmen up in his wing as a way of empowering tomorrow's leaders and equipping them today in order to meet the Air Force's future needs. He described it as, "self-promotion."

"We train to fight," Colonel Popovich said. And whether that fight be in maintaining peace or securing it again in some far-off region plagued by tyranny, the complete mission was clear: "We train to win."

He was speaking from experience.

Colonel Popovich earlier in the ceremony spoke of the many "great adventures" he experienced as a fighter pilot with some of the fellow senior officers at the change of command. "Some of those adventures -- we're lucky to have returned from," he said.

Senior staff at the change of command expressed a commitment to maintaining a partnership with the 56th Fighter Wing, and Colonel Popovich directed his thanks to friends, colleagues and group commanders currently in leadership there.

As Colonel Scobee readied to depart on his next adventure, Colonel Popovich had parting words that could easily have been applied to himself.

Turning to Colonel Scobee, Colonel Popovich kept his final words like his speech, brief, to the point, and expressive of his gratitude: "It's been an honor to serve with you; thank you, sir."