LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Two leaders from the 944th Fighter Wing took command of each other’s squadrons in a change of command ceremony April 30 inside the wing’s hangar 999.
Col. Alfred Rossum, outgoing 944th Medical Squadron commander, took command of the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron during the ceremony. He brings with him an extensive background in the field of aerospace medicine, having served as a Space Medicine fellow and flight surgeon/contractor at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Rossum also served with the 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, as senior flight surgeon caring for more than 240 maintainers and pilots during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Col. Curtiss Cook, outgoing 944 ASTS commander, assumed command of the 944 MDS. He is a traditional reservist and is Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and serves as Chair of the Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic Arizona.
Rossum gave a simple message to his new team.
“You neither obtain the rank of colonel or the position of command without the support and endorsement of the enlisted. The enlisted are the backbone of the United States Air Force. I have always held these words close to my heart, and I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all of the MDS today. I already have full confidence in your ability to get the job done,” he said. “My message to you is simple: ‘Let’s press.’”
Already familiar with both squadrons, Cook took a moment to highlight the accomplishments of both teams and wish them their continued success.
“To the ASTS … I have seen many of you grow into senior leaders,” said Cook. “I see potential in so many of you. It has been an honor being your commander and I would gladly go with any of you on any contingency, anytime, anywhere.
“MDS, I have worked with many of you and I have seen the amazing things you do in austere environments,” he continued. “I know you are going through a lot of changes – new commander, new first sergeant – but we’ll navigate these changes. I look forward to moving ahead together.”
Cook also gave a common message to both squadrons, citing an appropriate proverb.
“There is a proverb you may be familiar with: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,’” Cook quoted. “While on the surface it may seem we have different missions, at the end of the day it’s the same mission: to see to the health, welfare and safety of the mothers and fathers, the sons and the daughters of the American taxpayer. We will continue on our path toward becoming the best medics in support of the American people and for our nation’s defense.”