WEBVTT 00:06.309 --> 00:08.420 Good morning , ladies and gentlemen , 00:08.420 --> 00:10.642 distinguished guests , men and women of 00:10.642 --> 00:12.476 the 5 37th Weather Wing and Team 00:12.476 --> 00:14.531 Moffett . On behalf of the presiding 00:14.531 --> 00:16.753 official , Colonel Bradley J Stebbins , 00:16.753 --> 00:18.920 commander of the 5 57th Weather Wing , 00:18.920 --> 00:20.976 welcome to Offutt Air Force Base and 00:20.976 --> 00:22.865 the first weather group change of 00:22.865 --> 00:25.087 command ceremony . I am Master Sergeant 00:25.087 --> 00:27.309 Brian Johnson and I'll be your narrator 00:27.309 --> 00:29.476 for today's ceremony . Today , Colonel 00:29.476 --> 00:31.309 Damon C Voorhees will relinquish 00:31.309 --> 00:33.420 command of the first weather group or 00:33.420 --> 00:35.365 the 5 ft seventh weather . Sorry . 00:35.365 --> 00:37.420 Today , Colonel Damon C Vorhees will 00:37.420 --> 00:39.642 relinquish command of the first weather 00:39.642 --> 00:41.920 group to Colonel Kenneth Hank Chilcote , 00:41.920 --> 00:43.976 the commander of 57th Weather Wing , 00:43.976 --> 00:43.889 Colonel Bradley J . Steins will 00:43.900 --> 00:45.880 officiate today's ceremony . As a 00:45.889 --> 00:48.111 reminder , members will stand at the 10 00:48.111 --> 00:49.945 for their official party and the 00:49.945 --> 00:52.169 singing of the national anthem . Those 00:52.180 --> 00:54.402 non uniform will stand for the official 00:54.402 --> 00:56.624 party and may place your hand over your 00:56.624 --> 00:58.624 heart . Additionally , all military 00:58.624 --> 01:00.791 personnel should stand at the position 01:00.791 --> 01:03.013 of attention during the presentation of 01:03.013 --> 01:02.669 the legion of merit and the change of 01:02.680 --> 01:05.550 command ceremony . Ladies and gentlemen , 01:05.559 --> 01:07.559 please stand for the arrival of the 01:07.559 --> 01:09.615 official party , the national anthem 01:09.615 --> 01:11.726 sang by senior Emman , Naomi Thompson 01:11.726 --> 01:13.892 followed by the invocation given to us 01:13.892 --> 01:16.115 by chaplain Captain Jacques Van Royen . 01:37.650 --> 01:37.849 So 01:42.019 --> 01:46.019 by the da I 01:46.889 --> 01:50.809 was so I do we at 01:51.769 --> 01:53.959 the twilight 01:56.769 --> 01:59.779 whose brush Rs and bright 01:59.790 --> 02:02.769 stars ? Yeah , 02:04.279 --> 02:06.870 us for 02:08.389 --> 02:12.078 hot , sweet . Were so God . 02:16.630 --> 02:17.750 Ah I 02:21.089 --> 02:21.550 the 02:26.190 --> 02:30.009 G and 02:30.460 --> 02:32.869 the I was 02:35.279 --> 02:38.880 oh , say , does that star 02:40.210 --> 02:41.990 so yeah , 02:47.539 --> 02:48.350 for the 02:53.380 --> 02:54.380 um 03:01.440 --> 03:01.889 yeah , 03:09.770 --> 03:11.826 chaplain Van Royen will now give the 03:11.826 --> 03:12.826 invocation . 03:18.869 --> 03:21.036 I invite you to join me in prayer . If 03:21.036 --> 03:23.460 you'd like gracious internal creator , 03:23.470 --> 03:25.637 we gather with hearts of gratitude for 03:25.637 --> 03:27.470 the legacy left by Colonel Damon 03:27.470 --> 03:29.414 Voorhees . As the commander of the 03:29.414 --> 03:31.581 first weather group . We thank you for 03:31.581 --> 03:33.660 the wisdom , dedication and selfless 03:33.669 --> 03:35.725 service . He demonstrated in guiding 03:35.725 --> 03:37.836 this team as we bid farewell , we ask 03:37.836 --> 03:39.891 for your continued blessing upon him 03:39.891 --> 03:41.725 and his family . Grant him favor 03:41.725 --> 03:43.725 strength and success in the journey 03:43.725 --> 03:46.279 ahead . As Colonel Hank Chilcoat now 03:46.289 --> 03:48.345 assumes command of the first weather 03:48.345 --> 03:50.567 group . We ask that you would grant him 03:50.567 --> 03:52.789 the strength and the support he'll need 03:52.789 --> 03:54.789 for this new chapter . May find the 03:54.789 --> 03:57.011 vision to lead into an unknown future . 03:57.011 --> 03:59.233 The courage to make difficult decisions 03:59.233 --> 04:01.400 that the mission often entails and the 04:01.400 --> 04:03.567 compassion to care for and support the 04:03.567 --> 04:05.733 warriors who make it possible . May he 04:05.733 --> 04:07.845 lead the group through another season 04:07.845 --> 04:09.956 of honor , integrity and excellence . 04:09.956 --> 04:11.956 We offer this prayer with faith and 04:11.956 --> 04:13.011 gratitude . Amen . 04:17.260 --> 04:19.316 Thank you senior airman Thompson and 04:19.316 --> 04:21.149 chaplain Voight Ben . Ladies and 04:21.149 --> 04:22.871 gentlemen , please be seated . 04:26.829 --> 04:28.940 The first weather group would like to 04:28.940 --> 04:30.718 extend a special welcome to the 04:30.718 --> 04:32.551 families of the official party . 04:32.551 --> 04:34.829 Colonel Vorhes , wife MS Sarah Vorhees . 04:37.239 --> 04:41.230 Ok . Colonel Chilo's 04:41.239 --> 04:42.820 wife , Miss Kirsty Chilo , 04:47.589 --> 04:49.811 Colonel Chil Coat's mother , Miss Donna 04:49.811 --> 04:51.756 Chilcoat and Kirsty's parents , Mr 04:51.756 --> 04:53.033 George and Terry Teach 04:58.420 --> 05:01.070 and friends of Colonel Chilo , Mr Brad 05:01.079 --> 05:02.070 and Amy Godwin . 05:06.709 --> 05:08.709 We would also like to recognize our 05:08.709 --> 05:10.931 distinguished guests . Please hold your 05:10.931 --> 05:13.098 applause until the end when all guests 05:13.098 --> 05:15.320 have been recognized commander the five 05:15.320 --> 05:17.265 the seventh Weather Wing . Colonel 05:17.265 --> 05:19.720 Stein's wife , Becky , technical 05:19.730 --> 05:21.952 director , 57th Weather wing , Mr Chris 05:21.952 --> 05:24.230 Figs Meyer , commander , second weather 05:24.239 --> 05:26.295 group , Colonel Christopher Lovett , 05:26.730 --> 05:28.730 technical director , second weather 05:28.730 --> 05:30.563 group , Mr Chris Weaver , deputy 05:30.563 --> 05:32.452 commander , first weather group , 05:32.452 --> 05:34.508 Lieutenant Colonel Morton Bartlett , 05:34.508 --> 05:36.508 Chief of operations , first weather 05:36.508 --> 05:38.674 group , Mr Jeffrey Freeze , former Air 05:38.674 --> 05:40.508 Force weather Agency commander , 05:40.508 --> 05:42.674 Colonel Lou Zuccarello , United States 05:42.674 --> 05:44.674 Air Force retired and his wife Lisa 05:45.029 --> 05:47.251 Cocom commander , first weather group , 05:47.251 --> 05:49.362 Miss Amanda Oliver . And last but not 05:49.362 --> 05:51.529 least , we extend a special welcome to 05:51.529 --> 05:53.696 all commanders , directors , spouses , 05:53.696 --> 05:55.862 friends and the men and women of the 5 05:55.862 --> 05:58.085 57th Weather Wing . Welcome . And thank 05:58.085 --> 05:57.779 you for joining us for this special 05:57.790 --> 05:58.790 event . 06:05.890 --> 06:08.001 The change of command ceremony you'll 06:08.001 --> 06:09.779 witness today is a time honored 06:09.779 --> 06:11.890 tradition . It dates back to the 18th 06:11.890 --> 06:14.001 century during the reign of Frederick 06:14.001 --> 06:16.112 the great of Prussia . At this time , 06:16.112 --> 06:18.112 organizational flags were developed 06:18.112 --> 06:20.112 with color arrangements and symbols 06:20.112 --> 06:22.223 unique to each particular unit . This 06:22.223 --> 06:24.446 and his commander , the soldiers of the 06:24.446 --> 06:24.429 unit will dedicate their loyalty and 06:24.440 --> 06:27.399 trust . When a change of command was to 06:27.410 --> 06:29.632 take place , the flag was passed to the 06:29.632 --> 06:31.660 individual assuming command . This 06:31.670 --> 06:33.726 gesture was accomplished in front of 06:33.726 --> 06:35.837 the unit so all could see and witness 06:35.837 --> 06:37.726 their new leader , assuming their 06:37.726 --> 06:39.614 dutiful position . The leader who 06:39.614 --> 06:41.448 possessed the flag also held the 06:41.448 --> 06:43.448 soldiers allegiance . This symbolic 06:43.448 --> 06:45.337 tradition has survived throughout 06:45.337 --> 06:47.114 military history . It is now my 06:47.114 --> 06:49.281 pleasure to introduce the commander of 06:49.281 --> 06:51.503 the 5 57th Weather Wing Colonel Bradley 06:51.503 --> 06:55.399 steps here . 06:56.850 --> 06:59.179 That's what that sir . Thank you . 06:59.190 --> 07:00.190 Thank you . 07:04.739 --> 07:06.961 Well , good morning to everyone here in 07:06.961 --> 07:09.072 building 185 here at Offutt Air Force 07:09.072 --> 07:11.950 Base , Nebraska . And I'll say hello , 07:11.980 --> 07:15.170 Guten Tag and Aloha . Uh to all those 07:15.179 --> 07:17.401 that are out there , the many friends , 07:17.401 --> 07:19.512 family and airmen that are joining us 07:19.512 --> 07:21.512 online from across at least 12 time 07:21.512 --> 07:24.149 zones , perhaps more . Uh I wanna have , 07:24.160 --> 07:26.438 well , I thank everyone for joining us . 07:26.438 --> 07:28.660 I wanna have a special appreciation for 07:28.660 --> 07:31.239 the geckos of the 17th operational 07:31.250 --> 07:33.359 Weather squadron . I know it's very 07:33.369 --> 07:36.390 early out there in paradise , but I 07:36.399 --> 07:38.566 appreciate you wanting to help observe 07:38.566 --> 07:41.380 this transition of the first weather 07:41.390 --> 07:43.950 group leaders with a combined change of 07:43.959 --> 07:46.220 command and senior enlisted leader 07:46.230 --> 07:48.989 change of responsibility . First . 07:49.000 --> 07:51.809 Please allow me to extend my welcome to 07:51.820 --> 07:55.329 the special guest . Sarah , the day has 07:55.339 --> 07:58.649 finally come , right ? Uh It wasn't but 07:58.660 --> 08:00.882 two years ago or so that uh you got the 08:00.882 --> 08:02.950 call . Hey , we need you out here a 08:02.959 --> 08:05.390 month early up , kind of uprooted your 08:05.399 --> 08:07.566 life and your plans and everything and 08:07.566 --> 08:09.732 you were able to come out here and now 08:09.732 --> 08:11.566 we're one month into overtime of 08:11.566 --> 08:13.788 command . Uh , and I know you're also , 08:13.850 --> 08:15.906 I have to get on a , uh , get on the 08:15.906 --> 08:18.072 road and get out to Washington . But , 08:18.072 --> 08:19.906 uh , thank you for your stalwart 08:19.906 --> 08:21.794 support of Damon and of the first 08:21.794 --> 08:24.017 weather group . Uh , it's , he's needed 08:24.017 --> 08:26.260 that uh with , with the challenges he's 08:26.269 --> 08:28.436 faced throughout his time in command . 08:28.489 --> 08:32.080 Um I know as well . Uh special to 08:32.090 --> 08:34.609 Hello to Little Van . He's off at 08:34.619 --> 08:37.090 school today , but I wanna let you know 08:37.099 --> 08:39.266 he's in my thoughts because of the joy 08:39.266 --> 08:42.729 that he brings to you both . Kirsty . 08:42.739 --> 08:45.659 It's so good to see you again . Uh Hank 08:45.669 --> 08:48.409 is blessed to have you again serve on 08:48.419 --> 08:50.641 this journey with him through command . 08:50.641 --> 08:52.863 Uh It's , you know , it's not easy from 08:52.863 --> 08:54.697 the first time you guys did this 08:54.697 --> 08:56.697 together . Um Becky and I have some 08:56.697 --> 08:58.697 inkling of what it's like to be the 08:58.697 --> 09:00.808 first weather group command team . So 09:00.808 --> 09:02.752 uh we're there with you , but very 09:02.752 --> 09:04.697 grateful that you have family here 09:04.697 --> 09:07.419 close by to be with you . Additionally , 09:07.429 --> 09:09.890 if I might add , Omaha is a fantastic 09:09.900 --> 09:12.609 place to continue your career in 09:12.619 --> 09:14.619 nursing . And so I wish you all the 09:14.619 --> 09:16.730 best we need compassionate caregivers 09:16.730 --> 09:20.330 like you Mrs Chilcote Donna 09:20.340 --> 09:22.559 again . Very Becky . And I are very 09:22.570 --> 09:24.737 happy to see you again . It was , uh , 09:24.737 --> 09:26.903 we have very fond memories of the time 09:26.903 --> 09:29.126 we went to the house in Maryland to see 09:29.126 --> 09:31.237 Hank's , uh , promotion to lieutenant 09:31.237 --> 09:33.770 colonel . Uh , you two were so proud , 09:33.830 --> 09:35.774 uh , of your son . And so it was a 09:35.774 --> 09:37.929 great day to celebrate him . Uh , I 09:37.940 --> 09:39.996 want to take this opportunity to now 09:39.996 --> 09:42.051 say that Hank's dad is online . He's 09:42.051 --> 09:44.218 dialed in from home in Maryland , uh , 09:44.218 --> 09:46.496 watching the puppy right now . So , uh , 09:46.496 --> 09:49.450 he's happy to be with us . Say again ? 09:50.099 --> 09:52.099 00 , sorry . In Pennsylvania ? Oh , 09:52.099 --> 09:54.155 that's right . It's right across the 09:54.155 --> 09:56.432 border . You're right . Ok . All right . 09:56.432 --> 09:58.543 Well , thank you . All right , Mr and 09:58.543 --> 10:00.488 Mrs teach . Glad you could join us 10:00.488 --> 10:02.599 today coming up from , uh , Lincoln . 10:02.599 --> 10:04.710 Uh , I know you're very happy to have 10:04.710 --> 10:06.821 your daughter very close by and a son 10:06.821 --> 10:08.988 in law . Um , I , I do have to ask you 10:08.988 --> 10:12.080 though . So please answer honestly when , 10:12.330 --> 10:14.859 uh , a tuxedoed Hank Chill coat first 10:14.869 --> 10:16.880 rolled up to the house to take your 10:16.890 --> 10:18.940 daughter to the high school prom so 10:18.950 --> 10:21.006 many years ago . Could you have ever 10:21.006 --> 10:23.061 imagined that you were gonna be at a 10:23.061 --> 10:25.172 ceremony like this with , with them ? 10:25.179 --> 10:27.849 Oh , you knew it ? Wow . That the 10:27.859 --> 10:30.192 mullet didn't , uh , the mullet you had , 10:30.909 --> 10:33.280 didn't ? Ok . All right . Well , great . 10:34.000 --> 10:36.222 I think Kirsty's surprised , but , ok . 10:36.390 --> 10:39.919 Um , all right . And the 10:39.929 --> 10:41.929 Godwin , thanks for coming out from 10:41.929 --> 10:43.985 Tennessee today . It's all we needed 10:43.985 --> 10:46.040 was another inspector general in the 10:46.040 --> 10:48.151 audience today . Right . Corey . No , 10:48.151 --> 10:50.373 it's good that thank you for coming out 10:50.373 --> 10:52.207 and joining us , Colonel and Mrs 10:52.207 --> 10:54.540 Zuccarello . Uh So good to see you here . 10:54.540 --> 10:56.596 I'm sure I'm not the only one that's 10:56.596 --> 10:58.373 happy to have you here today uh 10:58.373 --> 11:00.429 supporting again , the airmen of the 11:00.429 --> 11:02.429 wing and this organization that you 11:02.429 --> 11:04.762 guys did while you were in command . So , 11:04.762 --> 11:06.929 uh thank you again for joining us . Uh 11:06.929 --> 11:08.651 Hope you're proud of what this 11:08.651 --> 11:10.818 organization has become . Uh Our first 11:10.818 --> 11:12.707 weather group , Cocom commander M 11:12.707 --> 11:14.762 Amanda Oliver of the Bellevue Public 11:14.762 --> 11:16.873 Schools , Amanda . Uh So glad to have 11:16.873 --> 11:19.207 you join us on anything that you can do . 11:19.207 --> 11:21.318 Um This is a special occasion because 11:21.318 --> 11:21.239 we're gonna have this transition of 11:21.250 --> 11:24.539 command . Uh I want to do , take this 11:24.549 --> 11:26.771 opportunity to say thank you personally 11:26.771 --> 11:29.719 for what you and the off or of advisory 11:29.729 --> 11:31.840 council do for all the airmen here at 11:31.840 --> 11:34.007 of it , making them feel so welcome in 11:34.007 --> 11:36.969 the local community . Uh having most of 11:36.979 --> 11:39.035 the group's airmen spread out across 11:39.035 --> 11:41.035 the globe , so you really can't see 11:41.035 --> 11:43.369 them all that much . But uh I do wanna 11:43.380 --> 11:45.602 point out that we had that very special 11:45.602 --> 11:47.491 occasion and thanks to the uh the 11:47.491 --> 11:49.658 Nebraska Air National Guard and to the 11:49.658 --> 11:51.824 Bobcats , the 25th operational weather 11:51.824 --> 11:53.824 squad . And down at uh Tucson at uh 11:53.824 --> 11:55.936 Davismonthan Air Force Base where you 11:55.936 --> 11:57.991 got to go visit with other community 11:57.991 --> 12:00.213 leaders and actually see an operational 12:00.213 --> 12:02.269 weather squad in an action . So glad 12:02.269 --> 12:04.324 that that you had that opportunity . 12:04.324 --> 12:06.380 And of course , uh , my lovely bride 12:06.380 --> 12:06.179 Becky , thanks for being here , babe . 12:06.190 --> 12:08.640 For , we are , uh , maybe have an 12:08.650 --> 12:10.706 opportunity to do this some sometime 12:10.706 --> 12:14.159 soon as well . Uh , Damon Hank , let me , 12:14.169 --> 12:16.859 uh , also pass on , uh , greetings from 12:16.869 --> 12:19.390 Colonel Sattler and Chief Small . They 12:19.400 --> 12:21.669 got pulled away on a short notice call 12:21.679 --> 12:23.790 with , uh , General Kennedy . Uh , so 12:23.790 --> 12:25.957 they're taking that on my behalf , but 12:25.957 --> 12:28.179 they would definitely wanna be here and 12:28.179 --> 12:27.700 support you and then that was their 12:27.710 --> 12:29.820 intent until I gave them other way , 12:29.830 --> 12:32.940 other orders . Otherwise , um , let me 12:32.950 --> 12:35.006 add my personal thanks to the entire 12:35.006 --> 12:37.369 team that helped put this together . Uh 12:37.380 --> 12:39.580 Tech Sergeant Barkow , I think you're 12:39.590 --> 12:41.719 in the bag there . Yes . Uh Thank you 12:41.729 --> 12:45.010 to you , uh Ma Sergeant Johnson for MC 12:45.099 --> 12:48.659 today . Uh our whole entire team of the 12:48.669 --> 12:50.836 second weather squadron . So this is a 12:50.836 --> 12:52.780 really good example of the uh wing 12:52.780 --> 12:54.947 coming together , second weather group 12:54.947 --> 12:57.169 for squadrons , the first weather group 12:57.169 --> 12:59.225 coming together to uh sole rate , um 12:59.225 --> 13:01.280 especially Senior Thompson with that 13:01.280 --> 13:03.225 powerful rendition of our national 13:03.225 --> 13:05.336 anthem . And of course , um M Frith , 13:05.336 --> 13:07.502 wherever Barb has gone off to . But uh 13:07.502 --> 13:09.391 thanks for all you've done in the 13:09.391 --> 13:11.239 protocol realm there . Oh , and 13:11.250 --> 13:13.361 chaplain Van Rooyen too . Yes . Thank 13:13.361 --> 13:15.306 you for the uh the invocation that 13:15.306 --> 13:19.130 beautiful invocation . Um Now to the 13:19.140 --> 13:22.590 graduating team of Colonel Vorhees and 13:22.599 --> 13:26.099 Chief Dan Perry , right ? Uh So very 13:26.109 --> 13:28.750 appropriate that you chose to have this 13:28.760 --> 13:31.580 uh share the stage one time last time 13:31.590 --> 13:34.179 together . It's indicative of the 13:34.190 --> 13:36.260 relationship you two developed and 13:36.270 --> 13:38.869 shared over these last many months , 13:39.270 --> 13:41.214 leading more than 800 group airmen 13:41.214 --> 13:43.326 spread out across the 12 time zones . 13:43.919 --> 13:46.219 Mentoring six squadron leadership teams 13:46.229 --> 13:48.799 from afar isn't an easy task , but you 13:48.809 --> 13:51.820 both made it look easy . Damon , you 13:51.830 --> 13:53.886 allowed your commanders to learn and 13:53.886 --> 13:56.979 grow as themselves by leading with your 13:56.989 --> 13:59.700 intent and chief , you greatly 13:59.710 --> 14:01.266 supported your commander by 14:01.266 --> 14:03.154 understanding and amplifying that 14:03.154 --> 14:04.988 intent for implementation by the 14:04.988 --> 14:07.099 group's airmen . This and a desire to 14:07.109 --> 14:09.289 see firsthand your young Emran meant 14:09.299 --> 14:11.410 many long hours on the road traveling 14:11.410 --> 14:14.109 to witness them in action . From Tierra 14:14.119 --> 14:16.299 de Fuego to the Arctic high north , 14:16.309 --> 14:18.253 from the jungles of the Philippine 14:18.253 --> 14:20.950 islands to the Sahal of Africa and to 14:20.960 --> 14:23.210 the into crisis in Eastern Europe , 14:23.219 --> 14:25.700 Sudan and the Middle East . The airmen 14:25.710 --> 14:27.877 of the first weather group created war 14:27.877 --> 14:30.640 fight advantage across the globe . The 14:30.650 --> 14:32.880 A staff operations director reported to 14:32.890 --> 14:35.989 me recently that his team passed to the 14:36.000 --> 14:39.190 group , nearly 250 orders over two 14:39.200 --> 14:41.960 years for all manner of operations , 14:41.969 --> 14:44.599 exercises and special support . That 14:44.609 --> 14:46.665 only the airmen of the first weather 14:46.665 --> 14:49.309 group can provide this included an 14:49.320 --> 14:51.580 order for taking your operations to the 14:51.590 --> 14:53.780 cloud computing environment where you 14:53.789 --> 14:55.789 designed , implemented and tested a 14:55.789 --> 14:57.622 nascent capability to distribute 14:57.622 --> 14:59.678 operations among the six squadrons . 14:59.678 --> 15:01.760 This agility to move the mission 15:01.770 --> 15:04.090 anywhere the capability and capacity 15:04.099 --> 15:06.270 exists greatly increases the wings 15:06.280 --> 15:08.336 resiliency and readiness during this 15:08.336 --> 15:11.179 era of great power competition . Your 15:11.190 --> 15:13.419 team also leveraged an incredible pool 15:13.429 --> 15:15.485 of multifunctional airmen to develop 15:15.520 --> 15:17.820 and deploy software applications to the 15:17.830 --> 15:20.080 cloud for use by the entire air force 15:20.090 --> 15:22.960 weather enterprise . By teaming airmen 15:22.969 --> 15:24.969 with computers using automation and 15:24.969 --> 15:27.191 machine learning . You greatly expanded 15:27.191 --> 15:29.413 the capacity of the wing to exploit the 15:29.413 --> 15:31.191 environment for information and 15:31.191 --> 15:33.358 decision advan advantage by commanders 15:33.358 --> 15:35.489 at all echelons and not just in 15:35.500 --> 15:37.556 traditional ways , you embedded your 15:37.556 --> 15:39.611 airmen and other information warfare 15:39.611 --> 15:41.722 units , intelligence cyber electronic 15:41.722 --> 15:44.719 warfare units to integrate the wings , 15:44.729 --> 15:46.896 weather capabilities and produce novel 15:46.896 --> 15:49.619 outcomes for combatant commanders . Not 15:49.630 --> 15:51.852 too shabby for a foreign area officer . 15:51.852 --> 15:54.019 If I might add , that's Damon's true . 15:54.019 --> 15:57.580 Uh Career field at your going away the 15:57.590 --> 15:59.646 other day , you lamented a bit about 15:59.646 --> 16:01.701 being this being your last command . 16:01.701 --> 16:03.868 That's not how I see it , Damon . Uh I 16:03.868 --> 16:05.923 see it differently . You go o you're 16:05.923 --> 16:08.090 going off to be an air attache and you 16:08.090 --> 16:10.257 will undoubtedly achieve great success 16:10.257 --> 16:12.257 just like you did here at the first 16:12.257 --> 16:14.257 weather group . And so , so that no 16:14.257 --> 16:16.590 great good deed goes unpunished , right ? 16:16.590 --> 16:18.701 So you'll soon be rewarded . I'm sure 16:18.701 --> 16:20.590 with an assignment as a senior de 16:20.590 --> 16:22.312 Defense Attache working for an 16:22.312 --> 16:24.479 ambassador and a combatant commander . 16:25.200 --> 16:27.367 Uh , you'll lead multiple colonels and 16:27.369 --> 16:29.480 you'll lead an entire defense attache 16:29.480 --> 16:31.369 and you'll be responsible to that 16:31.369 --> 16:33.480 ambassador day to day . You have much 16:33.480 --> 16:36.070 more to come , Damon Chief Perry while 16:36.080 --> 16:38.809 perhaps not as exotic as an embassy 16:38.820 --> 16:41.229 posting in a far away land . Your move 16:41.239 --> 16:44.869 to the other side of building 185 will 16:44.880 --> 16:46.900 be just as exciting and potentially 16:46.909 --> 16:49.150 more challenging . Your time leading . 16:49.159 --> 16:51.381 First weather group airmen has prepared 16:51.381 --> 16:53.492 you well to take the Comanche star of 16:53.492 --> 16:55.690 America's Weather Wing Drew and I 16:55.700 --> 16:58.320 couldn't be prouder of you to the 16:58.330 --> 17:00.441 incoming team of Colonel Chilcoat and 17:00.441 --> 17:04.219 Pop Popovich cherish this opportunity 17:04.229 --> 17:06.500 to start the race together today . This 17:06.510 --> 17:08.510 doesn't happen all the time . You , 17:08.510 --> 17:10.510 this is truly special for you too . 17:10.900 --> 17:12.900 Whether you realize it or not , you 17:12.900 --> 17:14.956 will likely spend more time together 17:14.956 --> 17:17.011 with each with than with anyone else 17:17.011 --> 17:20.209 over the next two years . Yes . Yes . 17:20.219 --> 17:23.298 Sarah can say with authority , it's 17:23.308 --> 17:25.364 just the nature of leading this very 17:25.364 --> 17:27.918 formation , take care and lean on each 17:27.928 --> 17:29.948 other , leading with intent and you 17:29.958 --> 17:32.409 will marvel at the amazing things your 17:32.418 --> 17:34.362 airmen will do for the wing in our 17:34.362 --> 17:36.474 great nation . As you already heard , 17:36.474 --> 17:38.696 your command teams and airmen certainly 17:38.696 --> 17:40.862 know how to get the mission done . You 17:40.862 --> 17:43.085 are the right team at the right time to 17:43.085 --> 17:45.140 raise the readiness of this group to 17:45.140 --> 17:46.862 new heights , helping to deter 17:46.862 --> 17:48.974 America's adversaries from a conflict 17:48.974 --> 17:51.196 that none of us can afford . I wish you 17:51.196 --> 17:53.474 all good speed in your next adventures . 17:53.474 --> 17:52.928 And off we go . 18:03.140 --> 18:05.307 Thank you very much , Colonel Steins , 18:06.020 --> 18:08.242 ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 18:08.242 --> 18:10.464 the presentation of the legion of merit 18:10.464 --> 18:11.687 to Colonel Voorhees . 18:14.869 --> 18:18.219 Publish the order attention to orders . 18:18.400 --> 18:20.511 This is to certify that the president 18:20.511 --> 18:22.289 of the United States of America 18:22.289 --> 18:25.150 authorized by Act of Congress July 2019 18:25.160 --> 18:27.719 42 has awarded the legion of merit to 18:27.729 --> 18:30.650 Colonel Damon C Voorhees . Colonel 18:30.660 --> 18:32.827 Damon C Voorhees distinguished himself 18:32.827 --> 18:34.882 by exceptionally meritorious conduct 18:35.099 --> 18:37.043 and the performance of outstanding 18:37.043 --> 18:38.821 service to the United States as 18:38.821 --> 18:40.877 Commander First Weather group 5 57th 18:40.877 --> 18:42.932 Weather wing off at Air Force Base , 18:42.932 --> 18:46.400 Nebraska from 17 May 2022 to 21 . June 18:46.410 --> 18:49.949 2024 . During this period , the 18:49.959 --> 18:51.959 exemplary ability , diligence , and 18:51.959 --> 18:54.015 devotion to duty of Colonel Voorhees 18:54.015 --> 18:55.959 were instrumental to his leading a 18:55.959 --> 18:58.339 group of 820 airmen conducting global 18:58.349 --> 19:00.571 weather operations from seven worldwide 19:00.571 --> 19:02.627 installations . His death leadership 19:02.627 --> 19:05.099 enabled command decisions advantage 19:05.109 --> 19:07.276 during competition and conflict across 19:07.276 --> 19:09.109 multiple theaters including Indo 19:09.109 --> 19:11.869 pacific , Eastern Europe , Israel , the 19:11.880 --> 19:14.849 Red Sea and Sudan . Colonel Voorhees 19:14.859 --> 19:16.859 drove the analysis of environmental 19:16.859 --> 19:18.859 impacts to adversary weapon systems 19:18.859 --> 19:20.803 such as high altitude balloons and 19:20.803 --> 19:23.540 remotely piloted aircraft . In addition , 19:23.760 --> 19:25.871 Colonel Voorhees led the expansion of 19:25.871 --> 19:27.260 weather integration with 19:27.260 --> 19:29.371 electromagnetic spectrum operations , 19:29.371 --> 19:31.482 supporting numerous bomber task force 19:31.482 --> 19:33.204 missions and the maturation of 19:33.204 --> 19:35.149 information warfare innovations at 19:35.149 --> 19:37.204 cross functional experimentation and 19:37.204 --> 19:39.260 employment events at the information 19:39.260 --> 19:41.371 warfare training research environment 19:41.371 --> 19:43.427 at Playas New Mexico . Moreover , in 19:43.427 --> 19:45.649 order to enable distributive operations 19:45.649 --> 19:47.704 and boost operational resiliency and 19:47.704 --> 19:49.760 security , Colonel Voorhees pushed a 19:49.760 --> 19:51.982 multiyear digital transformation effort 19:51.982 --> 19:54.038 across the group garnering Air Force 19:54.038 --> 19:56.038 weather enterprise wide impacts and 19:56.038 --> 19:57.871 directing prioritization for two 19:57.871 --> 20:00.020 organic product teams . He deployed 20:00.030 --> 20:01.863 five applications to cloud based 20:01.863 --> 20:03.974 operations to enable critical airbase 20:03.974 --> 20:05.586 protection and flight safety 20:05.586 --> 20:07.808 capabilities while negating funding for 20:07.808 --> 20:10.089 10 full time contractors . Finally , in 20:10.099 --> 20:11.932 conjunction with digital digital 20:11.932 --> 20:14.155 transformation , he led a combined team 20:14.155 --> 20:16.380 of group cyber operators program office 20:16.390 --> 20:18.930 managers and contractors to harden his 20:18.939 --> 20:20.772 squadrons unclassified operation 20:20.772 --> 20:22.883 servers to prevent disruption of data 20:22.883 --> 20:24.717 flows critical to ongoing crisis 20:24.717 --> 20:26.828 operations and to secure an authority 20:26.828 --> 20:28.717 to operate , enabling his team to 20:28.717 --> 20:30.828 significantly advance cloud migration 20:30.828 --> 20:30.660 support of weather operations across 20:30.670 --> 20:33.109 all 11 . Combatant commands . The 20:33.119 --> 20:35.250 superior initiative , outstanding 20:35.260 --> 20:37.093 leadership and personal endeavor 20:37.093 --> 20:39.229 displayed by Colonel Voorhees reflect 20:39.239 --> 20:41.406 great credit , credit upon himself and 20:41.406 --> 20:43.072 the United States Air Force . 20:55.189 --> 20:56.810 Oh , good . Oh , thank you . 21:12.459 --> 21:14.792 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 21:15.380 --> 21:17.491 Colonel Voorhees will now address the 21:17.491 --> 21:19.602 first weather group for the last time 21:19.602 --> 21:20.658 as our commander , 21:23.880 --> 21:25.936 Sergeant Johnson started the glasses 21:25.936 --> 21:28.102 trend . So I'm gonna continue that . I 21:28.102 --> 21:30.269 think we're gonna pull it off . Yeah , 21:30.269 --> 21:29.750 I think , I don't know . I think , I 21:29.760 --> 21:32.760 think we're doing it all right . Uh 21:32.770 --> 21:34.881 Good morning to all America's weather 21:34.881 --> 21:36.881 wing warriors uh here in the room , 21:36.881 --> 21:39.319 online , um friends , family , 21:39.329 --> 21:41.162 distinguished visitors . Um It's 21:41.162 --> 21:43.829 fantastic um to , to see everyone here 21:43.839 --> 21:45.895 and for everyone to take time out of 21:45.895 --> 21:48.006 their day . Um Really appreciate it . 21:48.006 --> 21:50.172 Um Like to extend a special welcome to 21:50.172 --> 21:52.395 Miss Becky Steins , um Chief Small , uh 21:52.395 --> 21:54.506 he's downstairs . Um Colonel Lovett , 21:54.506 --> 21:56.617 uh Mr Phoenix Meyer , Colonel retired 21:56.617 --> 21:59.089 Luzu Carrello and his wife . Uh and um 21:59.099 --> 22:01.321 first weather group's Cocom commander , 22:01.321 --> 22:03.432 Miss uh Miss Amanda Oliver . Um Thank 22:03.432 --> 22:05.599 you so much for carving time , carving 22:05.599 --> 22:07.710 out some time to join us this morning 22:07.710 --> 22:09.821 and , and I'd like to really start by 22:09.821 --> 22:09.760 thinking the team that made your day po 22:09.859 --> 22:12.890 possible . Uh Sergeant Bart . Uh He 22:12.900 --> 22:14.844 orchestrated all the moving pieces 22:14.880 --> 22:17.140 along with Barb Frith and Protocol . Uh 22:17.150 --> 22:19.540 Really appreciate your patience uh with 22:19.550 --> 22:21.661 the dynamic scheduling . I will leave 22:21.661 --> 22:23.890 it at that . Um Thanks to Chapman Van 22:23.900 --> 22:25.622 Rooyen , uh for the thoughtful 22:25.622 --> 22:27.789 invitation to senior airman Thompson . 22:27.789 --> 22:29.979 Wow . Uh phenomenal rendition of the 22:29.989 --> 22:32.211 national anthem and the , the talent of 22:32.211 --> 22:34.322 our airmen . It never ceases to amaze 22:34.322 --> 22:36.560 me . Um Just , it's a joy to joy to uh 22:36.880 --> 22:38.713 have you hear , hear singing the 22:38.713 --> 22:41.339 national anthem today um to my amazing , 22:41.510 --> 22:43.719 beautiful wife Sarah . Um There really 22:43.729 --> 22:46.540 aren't words to express my appreciation 22:46.550 --> 22:48.661 for your enduring support and for all 22:48.661 --> 22:51.170 your sacrifices . It's a demanding team 22:51.180 --> 22:53.579 sport being in command um In the last 22:53.589 --> 22:55.311 few weeks have been especially 22:55.311 --> 22:57.311 stressful . Um But there's no way I 22:57.311 --> 22:59.145 would have been as a fraction as 22:59.145 --> 23:01.311 successful um without you by my side . 23:01.311 --> 23:03.645 And if uh if Van were here this morning , 23:03.645 --> 23:05.756 it's , it's water day at school too . 23:05.756 --> 23:08.033 So I , I lost out to Water Day and I'm , 23:08.033 --> 23:10.256 I'm fine with that . Um But , but if he 23:10.256 --> 23:12.367 was here , I would give him a big hug 23:12.367 --> 23:14.589 and thank him for uh sharing daddy with 23:14.589 --> 23:16.811 work . Um And there will be a lot fewer 23:16.811 --> 23:19.033 nights away in the future . So , um I , 23:19.033 --> 23:20.869 I would promise him that Colonel 23:20.880 --> 23:23.520 Stedmans uh Becky , uh really ? Thank 23:23.530 --> 23:25.586 you for your leadership , mentorship 23:25.586 --> 23:27.586 and support . II , I appreciate the 23:27.586 --> 23:29.641 kind words and uh the recognition of 23:29.641 --> 23:31.419 all the first weather group has 23:31.419 --> 23:33.474 accomplished over the last couple of 23:33.474 --> 23:35.197 years . Um The wing itself has 23:35.197 --> 23:37.363 accomplished so much over the last two 23:37.363 --> 23:39.141 years and we've worked off your 23:39.141 --> 23:41.141 commander's intent and we value the 23:41.141 --> 23:43.363 autonomy you've given us to execute the 23:43.363 --> 23:45.586 mission . Uh Sarah , and I wish you the 23:45.586 --> 23:47.808 best of luck in Germany . It's like the 23:47.808 --> 23:47.229 most perfect assignment for you and 23:47.239 --> 23:49.630 Becky . So , um , best of luck , sir . 23:49.640 --> 23:51.751 Um , I know you're gonna enjoy . Ye . 23:51.751 --> 23:54.849 Yes . Yes . Twist my arm . Yes . Yeah . 23:55.260 --> 23:57.316 Yeah . After , after being the group 23:57.316 --> 23:59.482 commander , wing commander , uh over , 23:59.482 --> 24:01.709 over Emer Gal , right ? O and Garish . 24:01.719 --> 24:04.380 Yeah , that very well deserved , sir . 24:05.300 --> 24:07.560 Um Thanks as well to Sergeant Johnson . 24:07.680 --> 24:09.791 Um The first thing Sarah asked me was 24:09.791 --> 24:11.902 whether you were going to MC , the my 24:11.902 --> 24:14.013 outgoings changes , change of command 24:14.013 --> 24:16.236 ceremony too . Um And , and thanks to , 24:16.236 --> 24:18.013 to public affairs and thanks to 24:18.013 --> 24:20.013 everyone in web tec um , for making 24:20.013 --> 24:22.069 today special for our family and for 24:22.069 --> 24:24.124 the , and for Colonel Chilo's family 24:24.124 --> 24:26.347 girl , love it , Chris . Uh , it's been 24:26.347 --> 24:28.569 awesome having you as my teammate and , 24:28.569 --> 24:30.847 and sharing command the last two years , 24:30.847 --> 24:33.180 we've spent a lot of time together , uh , 24:33.180 --> 24:35.180 hashing out tough problems and I've 24:35.180 --> 24:37.347 learned a ton from you along the way . 24:37.347 --> 24:39.402 Um It's also hugely rewarding to see 24:39.402 --> 24:41.458 how second nature , uh , it's become 24:41.458 --> 24:43.624 for our squadrons to integrate without 24:43.624 --> 24:43.530 even being told or given , being given 24:43.540 --> 24:45.596 a nudge in that direction . Um , I'm 24:45.596 --> 24:47.900 excited for the future of our now 11 24:47.910 --> 24:50.560 squadrons , uh , 11.5 , 12 . So we're 24:50.569 --> 24:52.449 somewhere in there . Um , but 24:52.459 --> 24:54.626 congratulations to you and Bonnie on a 24:54.626 --> 24:56.848 well deserved retirement . Um , I think 24:56.848 --> 24:58.959 Matt Sadler has a comprehensive to do 24:58.959 --> 25:01.126 list . Um If you find yourself hanging 25:01.126 --> 25:03.348 around here , you know , a little way , 25:03.348 --> 25:03.109 a little for a little bit of time after 25:03.119 --> 25:05.180 your change of command . But no , in 25:05.189 --> 25:07.300 all seriousness , best of luck to you 25:07.300 --> 25:09.133 and the family in the future and 25:09.133 --> 25:11.300 congratulations on a highly successful 25:11.300 --> 25:13.578 command and a highly successful career . 25:13.578 --> 25:16.349 Uh Thanks to one of the mo the best 25:16.359 --> 25:18.470 senior enlisted leaders , a commander 25:18.470 --> 25:20.581 could hope to have um Chief Dan Perry 25:20.581 --> 25:23.119 and thanks to uh to Jess for sharing 25:23.130 --> 25:25.074 him and putting up with all of our 25:25.074 --> 25:28.660 travel and uh travel delays . Um The 25:28.670 --> 25:30.892 time we've spent together has made me a 25:30.892 --> 25:33.059 much better officer and leader and the 25:33.059 --> 25:35.281 group has thrived under your leadership 25:35.281 --> 25:37.392 and mentorship and your dedication to 25:37.392 --> 25:39.337 the 800 strong airmen in the group 25:39.337 --> 25:41.559 shows every day . Can't wait to see all 25:41.559 --> 25:43.726 of your successes . You're gonna bring 25:43.726 --> 25:45.837 uh to America's Weather Wing . Um And 25:45.837 --> 25:47.948 best of luck as the ne as the Weather 25:47.948 --> 25:49.892 wings uh , neck man chief . I know 25:49.892 --> 25:49.500 you're gonna kill it and the weather 25:49.510 --> 25:51.566 wings just gonna , uh , sort a newer 25:51.566 --> 25:53.680 and better heights . I know . Uh , 25:53.689 --> 25:55.967 Lieutenant Crowe Miller is on the road , 25:55.967 --> 25:57.967 um , on his way to Langley and he's 25:57.967 --> 26:00.078 enjoying some well deserved town time 26:00.078 --> 26:02.189 downtime with the family because he's 26:02.189 --> 26:04.300 keeping me very much up to date as to 26:04.300 --> 26:07.640 his hourly by hourly travels . Uh , but 26:07.650 --> 26:09.706 I really would be remiss if I didn't 26:09.706 --> 26:11.872 thank him in front of the audience for 26:11.872 --> 26:14.039 all his hard work and dedication as uh 26:14.039 --> 26:16.206 as the group's deputy commander of the 26:16.206 --> 26:18.372 last two years , his span of expertise 26:18.372 --> 26:20.483 is incredible and he had huge impacts 26:20.483 --> 26:22.539 across the wing . Um He came up from 26:22.539 --> 26:24.650 the 15th operational weather squadron 26:24.650 --> 26:26.872 and , and so he was also an outstanding 26:26.872 --> 26:26.569 mentor to our squadron commanders and 26:26.579 --> 26:28.969 he set everybody up for success . Um 26:28.979 --> 26:31.201 While uh Chief Perry and I handled some 26:31.201 --> 26:33.257 of the toughest challenges , the the 26:33.257 --> 26:35.590 deputy commander can be a thankless job . 26:35.590 --> 26:37.810 But um I want him to know uh that 26:37.819 --> 26:39.930 everyone recognizes all he brought to 26:39.930 --> 26:42.359 that vital position to Mr Freeze . 26:42.849 --> 26:45.071 There's absolutely no way the group and 26:45.071 --> 26:47.016 wing are as successful as they are 26:47.016 --> 26:49.238 without your leadership and expertise . 26:49.238 --> 26:51.293 I I'm gonna date myself with this TV 26:51.293 --> 26:53.349 reference . Um But Jeff is the Cliff 26:53.349 --> 26:55.516 Clavin of the group . So if you know , 26:55.516 --> 26:55.510 if you watch cheers and if you know 26:55.520 --> 26:57.576 Cliff Clavin , that that is , that's 26:57.576 --> 27:00.819 Jeff . Um He knows everything about 27:00.829 --> 27:04.119 everything . It's , it's a quick aside . 27:04.130 --> 27:06.297 Um when I was interviewing for my next 27:06.297 --> 27:08.519 job , they asked me like a hypothetical 27:08.519 --> 27:10.519 question about being in a situation 27:10.519 --> 27:10.209 where I was asked to provide like a 27:10.219 --> 27:12.163 recommendation on something I knew 27:12.163 --> 27:14.497 nothing about . And I thought to myself , 27:14.497 --> 27:16.497 well , I was never in that position 27:16.497 --> 27:16.369 here . I would just walk down and ask 27:16.380 --> 27:18.640 Jeff . So that , that , that's , you 27:18.650 --> 27:20.872 know , that's what , what you are to to 27:20.872 --> 27:22.872 first weather group . So thanks for 27:22.872 --> 27:24.983 your leadership of web tac and for uh 27:24.983 --> 27:27.039 charting an absolutely vital path to 27:27.039 --> 27:28.761 success , uh effectiveness and 27:28.761 --> 27:30.983 relevancy for the group wing in the Air 27:30.983 --> 27:33.039 Force Weather Enterprise . And I , I 27:33.039 --> 27:33.000 wish you and Patty the best of luck . 27:34.180 --> 27:36.069 So to , to my first weather group 27:36.069 --> 27:38.236 teammates here in the room and dialing 27:38.236 --> 27:40.402 in online um airmen and shipmates from 27:40.402 --> 27:42.291 Hawaii across the United States , 27:42.291 --> 27:44.513 Germany across all those time zones . I 27:44.513 --> 27:46.624 was thinking about what to say to you 27:46.624 --> 27:48.902 and I kept coming back to the question . 27:48.902 --> 27:50.958 We kept hearing . What do odwss do ? 27:50.958 --> 27:52.902 Well , I'll tell you what you do . 27:52.902 --> 27:55.013 You're executing the mission , day in 27:55.013 --> 27:57.347 and day out across the world doing work . 27:57.347 --> 27:59.236 No other air force or military is 27:59.236 --> 28:01.402 capable of . And there have been a lot 28:01.402 --> 28:03.736 of firsts over the last couple of years . 28:03.736 --> 28:05.402 Fundamentally , you're arming 28:05.402 --> 28:07.513 commanders with decision advantage in 28:07.513 --> 28:09.513 hotspots across the globe , Eastern 28:09.513 --> 28:11.680 Europe , Israel , the Red Sea , Iran , 28:11.680 --> 28:13.569 the Sudan , and all over the Indo 28:13.569 --> 28:15.180 Pacific . You're forging new 28:15.180 --> 28:17.069 partnerships with Intel and Cyber 28:17.069 --> 28:18.847 airmen to arm air component and 28:18.847 --> 28:20.513 combatant commanders with new 28:20.513 --> 28:22.736 capabilities . You're expanding weather 28:22.736 --> 28:24.958 integration into , into electromagnetic 28:24.958 --> 28:26.958 spectrum operations . You're moving 28:26.958 --> 28:26.449 operations into the cloud and 28:26.459 --> 28:28.570 leveraging human machine , teaming to 28:28.570 --> 28:30.681 increase our resiliency and focus our 28:30.681 --> 28:32.515 airmen on complex problems . And 28:32.515 --> 28:34.681 hundreds of you have been deploying to 28:34.681 --> 28:36.903 Europe , the Middle East and Africa and 28:36.903 --> 28:38.848 earning plots downrange and you're 28:38.848 --> 28:41.015 putting into place the ow ss and first 28:41.015 --> 28:43.126 weather group of the future . Through 28:43.126 --> 28:45.292 your hard work and creativity , you do 28:45.292 --> 28:47.403 it all every single day and I'll know 28:47.403 --> 28:49.570 you'll continue to excel under Colonel 28:49.570 --> 28:51.681 Chilo's leadership . So huge . Thanks 28:51.681 --> 28:53.848 to the squadron leadership teams , the 28:53.848 --> 28:55.903 commanders , senior enlisted leaders 28:55.903 --> 28:58.070 and first sergeant . It's hard being a 28:58.070 --> 29:00.348 team of geographically separated units , 29:00.348 --> 29:00.069 but I thoroughly enjoyed working with 29:00.079 --> 29:02.050 everyone . Getting to know you and 29:02.060 --> 29:03.839 watching you grow . Please stay 29:03.849 --> 29:06.071 dedicated to your airmen in the mission 29:06.071 --> 29:08.071 and best of luck in all your future 29:08.071 --> 29:10.016 endeavors . Hank . I don't know if 29:10.016 --> 29:12.127 you're getting the same sense of deja 29:12.127 --> 29:14.238 vu as me , but I feel like we've done 29:14.238 --> 29:16.569 this before . It's great to see you and 29:16.579 --> 29:18.635 Kirsty again . Uh I'm thrilled to be 29:18.635 --> 29:20.857 able to turn the guide on over to you a 29:20.857 --> 29:23.079 second time . You have an amazing group 29:23.079 --> 29:25.190 of leaders in airman and you're gonna 29:25.190 --> 29:24.900 have a blast and learn a ton over the 29:24.910 --> 29:27.520 next couple of years . It's been both 29:27.530 --> 29:29.641 surreal and unbelievably rewarding to 29:29.641 --> 29:31.900 have started my career at an ows had 29:31.910 --> 29:34.021 the opportunity to command an ows and 29:34.021 --> 29:36.329 then lead all of the ows . Si feel 29:36.339 --> 29:38.283 really fortunate and I wouldn't be 29:38.283 --> 29:40.339 wrong if I stood up here and thanked 29:40.339 --> 29:42.561 our friends and teammates all day . But 29:42.561 --> 29:44.728 I'd like to conclude by saying , thank 29:44.728 --> 29:46.839 you again to the entire first weather 29:46.839 --> 29:46.479 group team and don't be a stranger . 29:46.689 --> 29:48.800 It's been an honor to serve alongside 29:48.800 --> 29:49.800 you . Thank you . 30:01.569 --> 30:03.458 Thank you , Colonel Voorhees . Uh 30:03.458 --> 30:05.402 Additionally , we'd like to take a 30:05.402 --> 30:05.250 moment to recognize a very important 30:05.260 --> 30:08.530 member of our family . Uh MS Voorhees , 30:08.540 --> 30:10.596 we thank you for your sacrifice over 30:10.596 --> 30:11.762 the last two years . 30:19.599 --> 30:20.599 Ok . 30:28.339 --> 30:30.260 Thank you very much . Ladies and 30:30.270 --> 30:32.326 gentlemen , you will now observe the 30:32.326 --> 30:34.659 symbolic portion of the ceremony . Also , 30:34.659 --> 30:36.381 you will witness the change of 30:36.381 --> 30:38.381 responsibility for the chief duties 30:38.381 --> 30:40.270 between the current chief , chief 30:40.270 --> 30:42.159 master Sergeant Dan Perry and the 30:42.159 --> 30:44.437 incoming chief , chief master Sergeant , 30:44.437 --> 30:46.603 Jonathan Popovich . Like the change of 30:46.603 --> 30:48.770 command . The change of responsibility 30:48.770 --> 30:48.290 ceremony is steeped in military 30:48.300 --> 30:50.640 tradition and serves the function of 30:50.650 --> 30:52.539 rendering honors to the departing 30:52.539 --> 30:54.594 senior unlisted leader and providing 30:54.594 --> 30:56.817 official recognition of the transfer of 30:56.817 --> 30:58.928 responsibility to the incoming senior 30:58.928 --> 31:01.109 leader . The ceremony reinforces the 31:01.119 --> 31:03.286 non commissioned officers authority in 31:03.286 --> 31:05.230 the Air Force and highlights their 31:05.230 --> 31:07.397 support to the chain of command . This 31:07.397 --> 31:09.452 will be symbolized by the passing of 31:09.452 --> 31:11.675 the command's colors . The very soul of 31:11.675 --> 31:13.730 the military's unit is symbolized in 31:13.730 --> 31:15.897 the colors under which it fights for . 31:15.897 --> 31:15.479 They represent , not only the lineage 31:15.489 --> 31:17.600 in the honors of the organization but 31:17.600 --> 31:19.489 also the loyalty and unity of its 31:19.489 --> 31:21.770 personnel . The custodian of the colors 31:21.780 --> 31:25.199 is the chief . Now command from the 31:25.209 --> 31:27.376 first weather group where we pass from 31:27.376 --> 31:29.376 Colonel Voorhees to Colonel Colonel 31:29.376 --> 31:29.319 Chilcote . The first weather group 31:29.329 --> 31:31.218 guide on represents the command . 31:32.089 --> 31:34.256 Please stand for the change of command 31:39.660 --> 31:43.589 but publish the 31:43.619 --> 31:46.099 order attention to orders . The 31:46.109 --> 31:47.887 Department of the Air Force has 31:47.887 --> 31:50.569 announced that effective 21 June 2024 . 31:50.689 --> 31:52.522 By order of the commander 5 57th 31:52.522 --> 31:55.130 Weather Wing , Colonel Kenneth Hank 31:55.140 --> 31:57.196 Chilcote is assigned as commander of 31:57.196 --> 31:59.418 First Weather group 5 57th Weather Wing 31:59.418 --> 32:01.640 off at Air Force Base . Nebraska signed 32:01.640 --> 32:04.109 Colonel Bradley J Stebbins commander 5 32:04.119 --> 32:05.230 57th Weather wing , 32:09.920 --> 32:11.309 sir . I really push in , 32:35.000 --> 32:38.219 sir , I assume command . So 32:55.439 --> 32:57.760 you may now be seated . Ladies and 32:57.770 --> 33:00.369 gentlemen , I'm pleased to introduce 33:00.380 --> 33:02.324 the commander of the first Weather 33:02.324 --> 33:03.936 group . Colonel Hank Chilo . 33:10.540 --> 33:12.540 All right . Well , good morning . I 33:12.540 --> 33:14.873 don't know if this much is even working . 33:14.873 --> 33:16.984 Is it working anybody ? All right , I 33:16.984 --> 33:19.151 will , I will project so , a as I walk 33:19.151 --> 33:20.929 through the door , uh , in this 33:20.929 --> 33:23.096 building , I , I have to call it Nikki 33:23.096 --> 33:25.239 here . N Nikki Bebe uh greeted me and 33:25.250 --> 33:27.250 she said , hey , congratulations on 33:27.250 --> 33:30.619 retirement . Her husband , her husband 33:30.630 --> 33:32.797 got the news wrong and passed her that 33:32.797 --> 33:34.686 I was retiring . Uh I'm doing the 33:34.686 --> 33:38.479 opposite . Uh uh I'm I'm taking 33:38.489 --> 33:40.739 command . Um , well , good morning 33:40.750 --> 33:42.972 again everyone and uh Thank you all for 33:42.972 --> 33:44.861 being here . I especially want to 33:44.861 --> 33:46.917 acknowledge all fellow commanders uh 33:46.949 --> 33:49.319 and cocom commanders , uh chiefs , 33:49.329 --> 33:51.630 first sergeants , directors , all our 33:51.640 --> 33:53.529 distinguished guests , family and 33:53.529 --> 33:55.696 friends that traveled here from out of 33:55.696 --> 33:57.862 town . And of course , all the members 33:57.862 --> 33:59.973 of first weather group and all of the 33:59.973 --> 33:59.390 operational weather squadrons that are 33:59.400 --> 34:01.567 monitoring and forecasting the weather 34:01.567 --> 34:04.130 24 7 from around the world . I'm 34:04.140 --> 34:06.520 incredibly honored to assume command of 34:06.530 --> 34:08.197 this group and I have immense 34:08.199 --> 34:09.866 admiration for the invaluable 34:09.866 --> 34:11.977 contributions our operational weather 34:11.977 --> 34:14.199 squadrons make to both the US Air Force 34:14.199 --> 34:16.255 and the Department of Defense . So I 34:16.255 --> 34:19.438 first stood uh at this podium 12 years 34:19.448 --> 34:22.539 ago uh in this extraordinary auditorium . 34:22.549 --> 34:24.382 I was actually narrating Colonel 34:24.382 --> 34:26.605 Baker's Change of command ceremony . It 34:26.605 --> 34:28.771 was the hottest day of the year . This 34:28.771 --> 34:30.549 place was packed and uh the air 34:30.549 --> 34:33.350 conditioner was broken . So I was 34:33.360 --> 34:35.582 sweating profusely and it was going all 34:35.582 --> 34:37.804 over the script and I couldn't read the 34:37.804 --> 34:39.971 script . So I'm glad the air condition 34:39.971 --> 34:39.739 is working today . So that was a 34:39.750 --> 34:42.378 blessing . Um I actually spent three 34:42.388 --> 34:44.444 years in this building and I had the 34:44.444 --> 34:46.166 honor to work for some amazing 34:46.166 --> 34:48.166 commanders and serve alongside many 34:48.166 --> 34:50.166 colleagues and friends . Many still 34:50.166 --> 34:52.277 work in the building . Many have come 34:52.277 --> 34:51.618 back to the building . I see the 34:51.628 --> 34:53.684 Hendrick sitting there , my old , my 34:53.684 --> 34:55.461 old first sergeant when I was a 34:55.461 --> 34:57.684 commander and , and Kelly , nice to see 34:57.684 --> 34:59.906 you guys . Um and some have retired and 34:59.906 --> 35:01.906 some have joined us today . Colonel 35:01.906 --> 35:03.961 Zarella and Lisa , thank you so much 35:03.961 --> 35:05.795 for coming back to the change of 35:05.795 --> 35:05.530 command . Thank you for the support 35:05.540 --> 35:07.540 over the years and the mentorship , 35:07.540 --> 35:09.540 it's , it's great . Um Brad and Amy 35:09.540 --> 35:11.707 Godwin . Uh they traveled the farthest 35:11.707 --> 35:13.762 from Tennessee . Well , maybe my mom 35:13.762 --> 35:17.489 from Pennsylvania , but , but , but 35:17.500 --> 35:19.556 right in the middle of college World 35:19.556 --> 35:21.500 Series where there's no hotels and 35:21.500 --> 35:23.778 flights . So , thank you very much for , 35:23.778 --> 35:25.722 for supporting me over the past 20 35:25.722 --> 35:27.778 close to 20 years . Uh Brad and I uh 35:27.778 --> 35:30.000 served together at Robbins Airport base 35:30.000 --> 35:32.111 for four years and then we also serve 35:32.111 --> 35:34.278 together here . Um Thank you to all of 35:34.278 --> 35:37.139 you for , for the support , you know , 35:37.149 --> 35:38.593 changes , commands are an 35:38.593 --> 35:40.705 extraordinarily important , important 35:40.705 --> 35:42.649 part of our military heritage . Uh 35:42.649 --> 35:42.639 Because of this , I wanna specifically 35:42.649 --> 35:44.760 thank those who uh made it possible . 35:44.760 --> 35:46.982 So Sergeant Bart , well done organizing 35:46.982 --> 35:49.038 and executing the event . Uh Barb is 35:49.038 --> 35:51.260 Barb in here . This is the busiest time 35:51.260 --> 35:53.482 of the year for Barb . So thank you for 35:53.482 --> 35:55.649 this uh Mr Nelson uh Sergeant Maddox , 35:55.649 --> 35:57.816 Mr S Massar and Finley , thank you for 35:57.816 --> 35:57.810 helping with the reception . I'm 35:57.820 --> 35:59.931 looking forward to enjoying some cake 35:59.931 --> 36:01.653 out there and hanging out with 36:01.653 --> 36:03.876 everybody . Uh chaplain , thank you for 36:03.876 --> 36:06.098 the prayers , the words and the support 36:06.098 --> 36:05.810 to our airman and the families , our 36:05.820 --> 36:07.709 narrator , Sergeant Johnson , our 36:07.709 --> 36:09.800 proffer Erman Nguyen , our national 36:09.810 --> 36:11.977 anthem singer , Senior Erman Johnson . 36:11.977 --> 36:14.199 Uh well done . That was that was , that 36:14.199 --> 36:16.421 was amazing . Our escorts Matt Sergeant 36:16.421 --> 36:18.643 Carter , Sergeant Carter was my proffer 36:18.643 --> 36:20.977 for our change of command six years ago . 36:20.977 --> 36:20.879 So thank you for being an today and 36:20.889 --> 36:22.722 then escorts uh airman Green and 36:22.722 --> 36:24.833 Martinez . Thank you for that and our 36:24.833 --> 36:26.889 public affair colleagues across from 36:26.889 --> 36:29.111 the wing . Thank you for joining . Uh I 36:29.111 --> 36:31.222 must begin by thanking Colonel Steins 36:31.222 --> 36:33.389 uh for this opportunity and for having 36:33.389 --> 36:35.556 the vision to choose me as well as the 36:35.556 --> 36:37.667 courage to act on that vision , sir . 36:37.667 --> 36:39.778 Thank you for the mentorship over the 36:39.778 --> 36:39.489 years and I appreciate your trust , 36:39.500 --> 36:41.667 confidence and support to lead our air 36:41.667 --> 36:43.778 force's most important as asset , the 36:43.778 --> 36:46.000 airmen and their families . Thank you . 36:46.000 --> 36:48.111 Thank you , Becky . I also must thank 36:48.111 --> 36:50.167 my family . Uh There's absolutely no 36:50.167 --> 36:52.389 doubt that the reason I'm standing here 36:52.389 --> 36:54.556 today is because my incredible mom and 36:54.556 --> 36:56.667 dad and my amazing sister , Angie and 36:56.667 --> 36:58.833 the support I received from Grant , my 36:58.833 --> 37:00.722 nieces Bridget and Jacqueline and 37:00.722 --> 37:02.833 Kirsty's parents , George and Terry . 37:02.833 --> 37:05.056 Uh Thank you for everything I know . Um 37:05.056 --> 37:07.167 And I know many of you are supporting 37:07.167 --> 37:09.333 me from afar online or watch the video 37:09.333 --> 37:09.250 in , in some coming days . So thank you 37:09.260 --> 37:11.639 that I want to thank my lovely wife , 37:11.649 --> 37:13.949 Kirsty . I am so blessed to have such a 37:13.959 --> 37:16.015 dedicated and compassionate teammate 37:16.015 --> 37:18.126 who has also raised her right hand in 37:18.126 --> 37:20.292 serving this nation as a spouse and as 37:20.292 --> 37:22.237 a nurse , like all the spouses and 37:22.237 --> 37:24.237 families throughout the air force . 37:24.237 --> 37:24.189 Nothing we would do would be possible 37:24.199 --> 37:26.421 without your service and the sacrifices 37:26.421 --> 37:28.755 you're willing to make . So , thank you , 37:28.755 --> 37:30.866 honey , I would also like to extend a 37:30.866 --> 37:32.921 heart heartfelt . Thank you to Damon 37:32.921 --> 37:32.570 and Sarah Voorhees for their warm 37:32.580 --> 37:35.370 welcome . Again . They're unwavering 37:35.379 --> 37:37.601 service and sacrifice over the past two 37:37.601 --> 37:39.823 years and for leading this group to new 37:39.823 --> 37:41.712 heights of excellence and mission 37:41.712 --> 37:43.546 success . I am grateful for your 37:43.546 --> 37:45.435 leadership and the opportunity to 37:45.435 --> 37:44.969 continue to move this mission forward . 37:44.979 --> 37:48.050 Damon . I know we keep following each 37:48.060 --> 37:50.171 other in assignments . Uh but this is 37:50.171 --> 37:52.282 where it ends . Uh I'm not going back 37:52.282 --> 37:54.227 to DC right now . I'm not learning 37:54.227 --> 37:56.227 Arabic and I'm not going to embassy 37:56.227 --> 37:58.393 Riyadh . Uh This is , this is where it 37:58.393 --> 38:00.979 ends . I I already did my state 38:00.989 --> 38:03.959 Department time . So uh Chief Perry , 38:03.969 --> 38:06.191 uh thank you for everything you've done 38:06.191 --> 38:08.302 for this group . I'm excited to serve 38:08.302 --> 38:10.358 alongside of you and as you take the 38:10.358 --> 38:12.525 command chief position and in a couple 38:12.525 --> 38:14.580 of weeks , it's gonna be great . You 38:14.580 --> 38:14.399 know , our success is founded on the ST 38:14.409 --> 38:16.239 the steadfast support trust and 38:16.250 --> 38:18.417 generosity of our host wing , the 55th 38:18.417 --> 38:20.639 wing and all six wings around the world 38:20.639 --> 38:22.417 that support our geographically 38:22.417 --> 38:24.820 separated units at Scott Barksdale 38:24.830 --> 38:27.590 Hickam Davis , Motha Sean Ramstein . Uh 38:27.610 --> 38:29.777 We are so appreciative of the constant 38:29.777 --> 38:31.777 support that you said that that you 38:31.777 --> 38:33.999 provide us uh to seamlessly execute our 38:33.999 --> 38:35.943 worldwide operational mission . So 38:35.943 --> 38:38.277 thank you . Now , finally to the airmen , 38:38.277 --> 38:40.388 sailors and families of first weather 38:40.388 --> 38:42.443 group . It's an incredible honor and 38:42.443 --> 38:44.610 privilege to be your new commander and 38:44.610 --> 38:46.699 teammate . You re you represent the 38:46.709 --> 38:48.820 standard of excellent expected of our 38:48.820 --> 38:50.987 air and our hands down the air force's 38:50.987 --> 38:53.098 most , our , our , our hands down our 38:53.098 --> 38:54.876 nation and our air force's most 38:54.876 --> 38:56.598 competitive advantage over our 38:56.598 --> 38:58.431 adversaries . No advancements in 38:58.431 --> 39:00.598 technology . Our new weapon system can 39:00.598 --> 39:02.709 match the innovation , creativity and 39:02.709 --> 39:02.659 courage that you bring to the fight . 39:03.709 --> 39:05.709 These are certainly challenging and 39:05.709 --> 39:07.765 demanding times for the air force in 39:07.765 --> 39:09.487 our nation . We face a time of 39:09.487 --> 39:11.376 consequence marked by significant 39:11.376 --> 39:13.598 shifts in the strategic environment and 39:13.598 --> 39:15.765 great power competition . We need your 39:15.765 --> 39:17.765 dedication experience , courage and 39:17.765 --> 39:19.987 talents more than ever as we shift from 39:19.987 --> 39:22.153 what we've done over the past 30 years 39:22.153 --> 39:24.376 and we re optimize for today's security 39:24.376 --> 39:26.598 environment . General Alvin , our chief 39:26.598 --> 39:28.765 of staff has asked us to focus on four 39:28.765 --> 39:30.876 core areas that's developing people , 39:30.876 --> 39:33.098 generating readiness , projecting power 39:33.098 --> 39:35.209 and developing capabilities . You can 39:35.209 --> 39:37.265 tell I just came from the Pentagon . 39:37.265 --> 39:39.265 These will be our focus areas . Our 39:39.265 --> 39:41.376 operational weather squadrons will be 39:41.376 --> 39:41.179 critical in the Air Force re 39:41.189 --> 39:43.649 optimization efforts to demonstrate our 39:43.659 --> 39:46.169 readiness and capability to deter and 39:46.179 --> 39:49.679 if required to prevail in conflict to 39:49.689 --> 39:51.633 my squadron commanders and command 39:51.633 --> 39:53.856 teams , I need you to courageously lead 39:53.856 --> 39:55.689 your squadrons with boldness and 39:55.689 --> 39:57.689 integrity , prioritizing airmen and 39:57.689 --> 39:59.800 their families and embracing teamwork 39:59.830 --> 40:01.552 and empowering mission command 40:01.552 --> 40:03.497 throughout your organization to my 40:03.497 --> 40:06.060 command team chief Popovich . I am 40:06.070 --> 40:08.126 honored and stoked to have you as my 40:08.126 --> 40:10.070 teammate . And this group is truly 40:10.070 --> 40:12.070 fortunate to have you as our senior 40:12.070 --> 40:14.292 enlisted leader . I look forward to the 40:14.292 --> 40:14.219 bond we de we will develop the fun we 40:14.229 --> 40:16.340 will have and the impact we will make 40:16.340 --> 40:19.290 as a team morty . I am grateful for 40:19.300 --> 40:21.467 your leadership . I'm excited . We get 40:21.467 --> 40:23.689 to work together again 12 years later , 40:23.689 --> 40:23.550 after being in this building , I'm 40:23.560 --> 40:25.840 pumped about that and Taylor our 40:25.850 --> 40:28.489 fearless exec thank you and my hat's 40:28.500 --> 40:30.722 off to you . You have a new commander , 40:30.722 --> 40:33.239 a new deputy and a new chief all on the 40:33.250 --> 40:35.489 same day . Good luck . 40:37.580 --> 40:40.909 So in closing first weather group , we 40:40.919 --> 40:43.086 will be amazing because failure is not 40:43.086 --> 40:45.141 an option in our business . People's 40:45.141 --> 40:47.141 lives , the mission and the country 40:47.141 --> 40:49.197 depend on it . We must always get it 40:49.197 --> 40:51.197 right . Second best is unacceptable 40:51.197 --> 40:53.419 when we are dealing with the protection 40:53.419 --> 40:55.641 of our country , our sons and daughters 40:55.641 --> 40:57.363 and our way of life because we 40:57.363 --> 40:59.475 represent the profession of arms . So 40:59.475 --> 41:01.697 lastly , Kirsty and I are truly honored 41:01.697 --> 41:03.863 and excited to be a part of the 5 57th 41:03.863 --> 41:06.030 weather wing again and we look forward 41:06.030 --> 41:08.197 to serving you and your families . May 41:08.197 --> 41:07.500 God continue to bless the first weather 41:07.510 --> 41:09.677 group in this great nation ? Thank you 41:09.677 --> 41:09.639 very much . 41:21.750 --> 41:24.489 Thank you girl Choco . As you welcome 41:24.500 --> 41:26.667 our new commander . We would also , we 41:26.667 --> 41:28.500 would also like to extend a warm 41:28.500 --> 41:30.722 welcome to Miss Choko . Uh on behalf of 41:30.722 --> 41:32.944 the first weather group . Thank you for 41:32.944 --> 41:35.167 your sacrifices that we expect you will 41:35.167 --> 41:37.389 make for our group and Air Force moving 41:37.389 --> 41:35.810 forward . 41:47.399 --> 41:51.189 Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for 41:51.199 --> 41:53.310 the singing of the Air Force song and 41:53.310 --> 41:55.310 the departure of the official party 42:06.530 --> 42:09.260 off . We go into the wild Blue ring 42:11.459 --> 42:15.419 right into the sun . Here they come 42:15.479 --> 42:17.959 zooming to me . Ok . 42:22.239 --> 42:25.979 We guys starting our pain from under up 42:25.989 --> 42:27.479 with . Hello . 42:31.300 --> 42:35.199 Right . Hey , I think it's up to you or 42:35.209 --> 42:35.250 sir ?