BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Sept. 13 marked an historic milestone for the 940th Air Refueling Wing as it changed commanders and officially transferred from 4th Air Force to 10th Air Force.
During a ceremony, Col. Albert M. Reif relinquished command of the wing to Col. Jeffrey T. Mineo. At the same time, the wing's aerial refueling operations officially ended with the deactivation of the 314th Air Refueling Squadron, which flew KC-135 Stratotankers, and the 940th Maintenance Group, which took care of the aircraft.
As both units furled and encased their respective unit flags, Colonel Reif said wing Airmen ensured that closure of both units was successful and complete.
"As we furl these flags today, I would like you to think of it as putting a sword in the sheath, not because it has dulled, but because our mission has honed it to a razors edge and our mission is now complete," Colonel Reif said.
Air Force officials are in the process of officially re-designating the Air Force Reserve Command wing as the 940th Wing. Until then, the wing's designation remains the 940th Air Refueling Wing.
Maj. Gen. Robert E. Duignan, 4th Air Force commander, and Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Coon, 10th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremonies. They agreed that the 940th ARW has built a great foundation for the emerging missions and will continue in its operational excellence.
"The fight (being fought) from Beale AFB is not any different than it was in the past," General Duignan said. "America's enemies are never going to be at rest because of the new emerging mission that the 940th is taking on."
Colonel Mineo said he is humbled to be the wing's new commander and vows to establish the command's latest total force initiatives with some of the unique and diverse missions under one wing.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to build upon the successes of the 940th ARW and all that you have achieved to make this wing the legacy that it is today," he said. "I want everyone to know that I am committed and focused to ensure the wing stays adaptive and transforms to meet the needs of Air Combat Command and our other future partner commands." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)