HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa. – With the maximum 25 attendees present, the 111th Attack Wing vice commander promoted to the rank of colonel during this month’s regularly scheduled drill, June 13.
Col. Darryl Newhart, an MQ-9 Reaper pilot with the 111th Operations Group, pinned on the full bird after three-and-a-half decades of military service.
“By the amount of people allowed to be in this room today you wouldn’t be able to tell, but under normal circumstances this room would be packed with people coming out to support Col. Newhart,” said 111th Attack Wing Commander Col. Bill Griffin.
Much of Newhart’s service has been on the family-level of leadership – flight and squadron – and his current position as vice commander necessitates a macro look at more-complex matters.
“…More recent challenges involve the myriad of legitimate social issues that exist outside our base that our Airmen live and work in, and how it affects them as they come to work here,” said Newhart. “The current events in our country have every leader’s attention [at Horsham Air Guard Station] and how they impact our people; and then, how do we do our best to answer questions that are rightfully charged with emotion.”
Newhart recognizes that the Wing’s leaders may not have the answers, but they remain ready to listen.
“In that process, be better educated on things that perhaps we’re not generationally or culturally aware. My goal and hope at the end of the day is we emerge from this better than ever.”
Newhart has experienced the changing culture.
His career began in the Army Reserve where he remained for eight years and separated as a warrant officer. He then transitioned into his Air National Guard officer profession, which is now 28 years and counting.
“The National Guard is the only part of our armed forces that jump in and out of the federal and state missions routinely and with ease, which we’re proving every day here now,” he said. “I also fully believe that trust, loyalty and family involvement is the cornerstone to any relationship, especially ours in the military
Date Taken: | 06.13.2020 |
Date Posted: | 06.17.2020 22:22 |
Story ID: | 372099 |
Location: | HORSHAM, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
Web Views: | 506 |
Downloads: | 2 |
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