Photo By Master Sgt. Siuta Ika | Brig. Gen. Christopher Short, Col. Michael Drowley and Col. Adrian Spain sing the Air...... read more read more
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NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – The U.S. Air Force Weapons School welcomed a new commandant during a change of command ceremony here May 26.
During the ceremony, command of the USAFWS was passed from Col. Adrian Spain to Col. Michael Drowley.
The presiding official of the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Christopher Short, 57th Wing commander, extended a warm welcome to all in attendance before speaking about the Weapons School’s far-reaching effects on the Air Force and Department of Defense.
“The United States Air Force Weapons School is an organization that builds tactical experts, integration specialists, senior-leader advisers and the future leaders of our Air Force,” said Short. “The Weapons School upholds the high standards of integrity, service and excellence that keeps our Air Force combat ready for tomorrow’s fight. This organization produces the instructions that pave the way for joint integration, realistic training and innovative tactic development, increasing our combat capability across our Air Force and across our DOD.”
Short then listed some of the Weapons School’s accomplishments during the past two years under Spain’s command - which include standing up the 29th Weapons Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and graduating the most weapons officers for a single year in the school’s 66-year history despite dealing with the institution’s most significant restructure since the Vietnam War - before speaking about Spain’s lasting legacy on the USAFWS.
The general closed his speech by welcoming Drowley, who comes to Nellis AFB from the Pentagon, Washington, where he served as the senior plans adviser to the secretary of defense.
After Short’s remarks, Spain, whose next assignment is at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as the 53rd Wing commander, thanked his family for their support throughout his command tenure and addressed the men and women of the Weapons School.
“A lot has happened over the past two years to improve this school, and I promise I’m not going to rehash all of it; if you’re here you know what you did. You all have done a ton of work to make it all happen. The course delivers a better graduate for our Air Force and our warfighting capability because of your expertise and your dedication,” Spain said. “It’s been the honor of my professional life to have served as the commandant of the Weapons School with you. Thank you for the privilege and for making it even more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”
After Spain’s speech, the two colonels joined Short center stage for the official guidon passing, signaling the official start of Drowley’s command. The USAFWS flagship was then renamed and Drowley, who served at Nellis AFB as a USAFWS instructor in 2004, the 57th WG’s chief of fighter standardization and evaluation in 2006, and the commander of the 66th Weapons Squadron in 2011, gave his first remarks as commandant of the Weapons School.
“I especially want to thank (Spain) for the size 15 shoes you’ve left to fill. You’ve set an amazing vector for the Weapons School and I’ll do my best to make sure that vector stays on track and we continue to execute the mission that you’ve laid out for us,” Drowley said. “I want (everyone) to know you’ll get 110 percent from me to serve you guys in accomplishing the mission and building humble, credible, approachable graduates, building teams and leading from our instructor cadre, and transforming and inspiring our combat power ... Thank you for everything you do every day and thank you for everything you’re going to do as we join this journey together. I can’t wait to get on board with you guys.”
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2015 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 164805 |
| Location: | NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA, US |
| Web Views: | 449 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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