BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 489th Bomb Group handed over its guidon to a new commander during a ceremony held here November 6.
Col. Christopher Hawn relinquished command of the unit to Col. David Martinez at a ceremony attended by many friends, family, civic leaders, and fellow airmen.
Martinez, a native Texan, is a recent graduate of the United States Army War College, School of Strategic Landpower, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
His prior assignment was as the 91st Attack Squadron commander at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. While there, he oversaw coordination with national agencies to conduct combat operations against high-priority counterterrorism targets.
"I will do my absolute best to take care of you and your families," Martinez said the Airmen of the 489th BG. "Together we can unleash your expertise, experience, and passion to execute the mission of providing combat-ready reserve airmen as part of the total force team that can fly, fight and win tonight, if necessary."
The ceremony ended with an Airman saluting Martinez after placing the commander's name on the 489th BG flagship B-1 bomber.
307th Bomb Wing commander, Col. Steven Kirkpatrick, praised outgoing commander Hawn for his passion in leading the 489th BG.
Kirkpatrick also said he looked forward to how Hawn will continue to shape the bomber enterprise as he moves into his new position as the 307th BW vice-commander.
"His expertise and vision are going to help the overall bomber enterprise as we move into new territory with the B-21," said Kirkpatrick.
The 489th BG is a geographically separated unit of the 307th BW, located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The 307th BW is the only unit in the Air Force currently flying both the B-1 Lancer and the B-52 Stratofortress.