MG Martin assumes command of USAF Expeditionary Center

by Capt. Brooke Brzozowske
US Air Force Expeditionary Center

9/11/2013 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J.  -- Maj. Gen. Frederick "Rick" Martin assumed command of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center during a ceremony Sept. 9, 2013, at the Expeditionary Center, here.

General Paul J. Selva, Air Mobility Command commander, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., presided over the event, attended by nearly 200 service members, family members and honored guests from across the joint base. Additionally, the assumption ceremony was broadcasted live on Defense Connect Online for members of the EC across the globe to watch.

The USAF Expeditionary Center is the Air Force's Center of Excellence for advanced expeditionary combat support training and education, while also providing direct oversight for en route and installation support, contingency response, and partner capacity building mission sets within the global mobility enterprise. The Expeditionary Center provides operational control of the Mobility Operations School and the Expeditionary Operations School, and administrative control for six wings and two groups within Air Mobility Command.

Selva recognized the mission scope the EC holds for all mobility forces, and the type of leadership caliber Martin brings to the mission.

"I called every secretary, every exec, every aide and most of the squadron commanders who have ever worked with Martin, and the answer to the question I asked was universal," said Selva. "I said, 'what can you tell me about Rick Martin?' They all said he is the calmest, most enjoyable person to work for they have ever met. "

Selva continued explaining Martin's variety of assignments, including his recent deployment as the Deputy Chief for the Office of Security Cooperation in Baghdad, Iraq.

"It didn't matter how hard the challenge," Selva said. "It didn't matter how complex the question. It didn't matter how tough the tasker. He would be the calm person in the middle trying to figure out how to get it done. That's what you get as your new commander. Calm. Capable. Courageous. An undaunted leader. That is Major General Rick Martin."

After assuming command, Martin expressed his gratitude, reaching out to each of the units the EC supports and the community partnerships supporting the Airmen and families at locations across the globe.

"When I think of partnerships, there's a quote," he said. "'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' I think this holds true for our community and mission partnerships."

"What do we do in this wonderful organization called the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center?" Martin asked. "We build relationships. Why is that important? That develops partnerships."

"There is mobility happening everywhere on every continent of the globe," Martin concluded. "Who's touching that? The people of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, and that means something."