15th Wing bids "aloha" to new commander

by Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
15th Wing Public Affairs

6/30/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The 15th Wing guidon was passed to Col. Randall Huiss, 15th Wing commander, June 27 symbolizing the formal transfer of leadership of the wing from Col. Johnny Roscoe during a change of command ceremony on the flightline at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

"Men and women of the 15th Wing, I look forward to meeting each of you and facing these challenges in the days and weeks ahead," he said. "Our job is to be ready and provide options for our senior leaders. This is something we cannot take lightly as failure is not an option. We'll practice safe mission execution as we take care of our nation's business. In short, our job is to ensure that when our president threatens with a clenched fist or offers with an open hand, that his words become reality."

Huiss went on to declare total support for his new Airmen.

"I pledge to you my unwaivering commitment to your mission readiness, your health and welfare and the safety and security of you and your families," he said. "I'm here to serve rather than be served and I've experienced no greater honor and responsibility than to stand beside you as your commander."

Huiss thanked Roscoe for his leadership and incredible hospitality before addressing the formation of Airmen.

"[Roscoe] obviously left some very big shoes to fill," said Huiss just after taking command. "My goal is to build upon those relationships and the success he fostered with the hopes of taking the wing's performance to even greater heights."

During the ceremony, Roscoe was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious conduct and performance of outstanding services as the 15th WG commander. Roscoe is now retired after 26 years of Air Force service.

Among the many things accomplished under Roscoe's tour as commander were the activation of the Air Force's only active-associate F-22 Raptor squadron, an "EXCELLENT" rating on the wing's consolidated unit inspection and the execution of a total force response to the Philippines for disaster relief after the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded tore through the region.

Huiss is a 1993 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and a command pilot with more than 4, 200 hours in the C-17A, T-37 and T-38. Prior to taking command of the 15th Wing, he was vice commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., where he served as assistant to the commander for leadership in the combined C-5 and C-17 wing, providing worldwide movement of high priority personnel and cargo.