The 22nd Special Tactics Squadron welcomes a new commander

by Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

6/4/2014 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- With the end of one chapter, another begins anew.

The men and women of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron welcomed Lt. Col. Michael Evancic who assumed command from Col. Thad Allen during a change of command ceremony, June 3, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Allen completed his time with the 22nd STS and welcomed Lt. Col. Michael Evancic to begin his own story with the squadron. Col. Kurt Buller, 720th Special Tactics Group commander, officiated the ceremony and made it clear that Evancic was specifically chosen for the task.

"I chose you because of your focus and maturity as well as being a former operations officer in the 2-2," said Buller. "Clearly, you understand the battle space well. I'm excited to get you in command."

Previously, Evancic was a Checkmate strategist at Headquarters Air Force located at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., where he developed United States Air Force operational plans, policy, strategy, employment and concepts to best achieve the nation's objectives.

Evancic graduated from Arizona State University and commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He began his career as a security forces officer and completed the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was accepted into the combat control training pipeline where he acquired the skills to be a combat diver and parachutist.

Evancic has prior experience with the 22nd STS as he was the director of operations for the squadron from May 2008 through June 2011, so he knows the area well.

After Evancic received the guide-on from Buller and presented it to Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Guilmain, 22nd STS squadron superintendent, he received his first salute from the members of his squadron and spoke his first words to them.

"To the men and women of the 22nd STS, let's get after it," Evancic said.

His speech was short but his Airmen knew how crucial his words were and are ready to get back to work at the front lines of the fight.