Heithold new leader of Air Commandos

by 1st Lt. Brionna Ruff
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

7/3/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold assumed command of Air Force Special Operations in the Freedom Hangar July 3, becoming the 10th commander of AFSOC.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presided over the ceremony where Heithold replaced Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, who also retired after 33 years of service. Also participating in the ceremony was Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

"Over the past three years I have had the privilege of watching Eric work," said McRaven. "He drove the SOCOM staff to be better by asking all the hard questions, by forcing us to make decisions at the speed of Fiel for the benefit of his Airmen and the greater SOF enterprise."

McRaven spoke about the qualities Fiel portrayed, which paved the way for AFSOC success.

"He will not accept mediocrity, and he will not accept anything, anything that does not contribute to the mission," said McRaven. "These qualities matched with his professional impatience have transformed AFSOC and its magnificent Air Commandos to meet the demands of the 21st century."

McRaven praised Fiel for his hard work and dedication over the past three years and welcomed AFSOC's newest commander who previously served as U.S. SOCOM's vice commander.

"You are coming into AFSOC at the perfect time," said McRaven. "Your experience in the air, on the ground and in the foxholes of Washington, D.C. will serve this command exceedingly well."

As the ceremony progressed, Welsh spoke to Air Commandos about the importance of the command and the global impact it's had since 9/11.

"Today, we get to acknowledge the profound impact of a great leadership team and welcome another one to the job," said Welsh. "This command, this commander and the 19,000 active, Guard and Reserve Airmen who populate it are an integral part of Bill McRaven's U.S. Special Operations Command -- the most feared, and the most respected special operations team in the world."

AFSOC's mission is to present combat-ready Air Force Special Operations Forces to conduct and support global special operations missions. The command consists of highly trained, rapidly deployable Airmen, conducting global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower, to infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of special operations forces' operational elements.

"There are thousands of heroes in this command the American public will never know about," said Welsh. "It's important they know that when the world's best special operators answer the bugle's call, Air Commandos are always, always there. You're the epitome of quiet professionals, and I'd just like to personally thank you for that."

Before passing on the torch, Fiel left Heithold with a small piece of advice.

"Brad, your new command is now globally postured, and the Air Commandos of AFSOC will never, ever let you down," said Fiel. "But there is still more work to be done and I know you'll take on that challenge. All I can say is that AFSOC stands ready to meet any challenge, at any time, at any place."

Heithold inherits three active-duty wings, one Reserve wing, one National Guard wing, two overseas groups and several direct reporting units.

"The men and women of AFSOC are best equipped right now and have the best readiness posture that we have ever had in the history of the command," said Heithold. "I'm fortunate to take a command that's in the shape that it is."

Heithold pledged to take care of his Airmen and reminded them of three things important to AFSOC's continued success. He stated that the mission is paramount, patriotism ties us all together and excellence is only achieved when you plan for it.

"So let us not focus on our differences, but let us serve together as a team to crush those who would do harm to our country and to our cherished freedoms and our way of life," said Heithold.