Yokota welcomes new wing commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Lt. Gen. Edward Rice Jr., commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, presided over a change of command ceremony during which Col. Mark Hicks relinquished command of the 374th Airlift Wing to Col. Paul "Otto" Feather at Hangar 15, May 14.

During his opening remarks General Rice commented that a change of command is a change in person and not the quality of leadership.

"Today...we transfer command of the 374th Airlift Wing from one great Air Force leader to an equally impressive USAF warrior," said General Rice. "Mark is well known throughout the Air Force as a top strategic thinker and a 'get it done' type of leader. Under his direction, the wing underwent a transformation that resulted in it being the Pacific Air Forces leader in humanitarian assistance, disaster response and building partnership capacity."

The general also pointed out how important the leader of the wing is to the success of the overall mission of the base.

"There are very few positions that carry the level and variety of overall responsibility and expectations as does command of a wing," said General Rice. "It is because this job is so demanding that we select only our very best leaders to take on these assignments."

Colonel Hicks has commanded the 374 AW since April 2009. His new assignment is Director, Secretary and Chief of Staff Executive Action Group, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

"For the record, I envy Colonel Feather for his role in today's ceremony. I envy him because commanding the Airmen and civilians of this wing has been the highest honor and privilege of my career," said Colonel Hicks.

The General added that although the wing is losing Colonel and Mrs. Hicks it is also gaining Colonel and Mrs. Feather, who have had each had their fair share of accomplishments and are sure to become great assets to the 374th AW and 5th Air Force.

"Paul brings a tremendous breadth and depth of experience in mobility operations. He is a bona fide homerun hitter and he will knock his share of balls out of the park over the next two years," said General Rice.

The incoming 374th AW commander acknowledged the importance of becoming the wing commander here.

" I'm honored, privileged, and blessed to have the opportunity to lead, live, and work with so many great people," said Colonel Feather.

The colonel also recognized the importance of the local Japanese community in helping Yokota accomplish its mission.

"We, along with our Japanese partners, will excel at our mission, accomplish great things, and continue to set the standard for others to follow," said Colonel Feather.

As the 374th AW commander, Colonel Feather is responsible for the management, training, command and control of the Department of Defense's only airlift wing in the Pacific theater. As the Western Pacific airlift hub, Yokota Air Base provides mission ready forces and base operating support to guarantee U.S. forward presence and crisis response.

Colonel Feather comes to Yokota from 17th Air Force, U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he served as the Chief of Staff.