459 MXS holds change of command ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Russell
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The 459th Maintenance Squadron held a change of command ceremony in Hangar 11, on Aug. 25. Departing commander, Maj. Wendy Duffy received the Meritorious Service Award moments before she relinquished command to Maj. Keith McCray, 459th MXS maintenance officer.

"The change of command is a time-honored military tradition," said event orator, Capt. Chris Ryan, 459 MXS maintenance operations officer. "In the middle ages it was not uncommon for soldiers in the field to be unaware of whom their commanders were. The purpose of the ceremony is to provide an outgoing commander an opportunity to bid farewell to the men and women of their command who will in turn, welcome the new commander."

Officiator, Col. Maureen Banavige, 459th Maintenance Group commander, addressed the two leaders, among special guest including Col. William Mason, 459th Airlift Refueling Wing commander, the two leaders' family members and chiefs, commanders and troops from the unit and wing.

First, Banavige reflected on the success of the 459 MXS under Duffy's command.

"It is always difficult to sum up someone's impact on the current organization when they leave," said Banavige. "In your two years as commander of the maintenance squadron, you've lead the squadron through some pretty rough moments. Two Operational Readiness Training Program exercises to Volk Field, Air Expeditionary Force deployments to two locations at one time, an Operational Readiness Exercise and Operational Readiness Inspection, and more."

During this time the wing commander selected Duffy to head the wing ORI planning team.

"Your background in Air Mobility Command/Inspector General, and maintenance no-nonsense attitude lead the wing to a dramatic turnaround since the last ORI," said Banavige.

Banavige likened Duffy's leadership style to Theodore M. Hesburgh quote:

"The very essence of leadership is you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet."

Banavige lauded Duffy for her knowledge of Air Force Instruction, the hard work she puts in for the Airmen, but mostly for the passion she displays in carrying out each of her duties.

"I can't think of one issue that you worked that was not done with passion," said Banavige. "In all of our conversations, the focus of this passion was your Airmen, every single time. You went to bat numerous times to make sure they had cold-weather boots for deployments to Alpena. You ensured orders were processed timely and medical issues were handled rapidly. The list goes on."

With the upcoming Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection there is still much to accomplish.

It is a benefit the new commander knows the people, the mission, strengths and weakness of the squadron and exactly where they left off, said Banavige.

"McCray, you bring the skills set that we need to accomplish the mission," said Banavige. "You come with a tremendous resume, experience and a passionate leadership style. I have no doubt that you will take this fine squadron to even greater heights."

Banavige dedicated a quote by Vince Lombardi, an American coach, to the incoming commander:

"Coaches who can outline plays on a blackboard are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside the players and motivate."

Following the officiator's speech, Duffy received the Meritorious Service Award from June 1, 2010 - Aug. 1, 2012.

Her superb leadership was critical in leading her 110-person maintenance squadron to complete the units' first comprehensive and periodic inspections on five KC-135R aircraft, said Ryan.

Some of Duffys' achievements include her research on benchmark practices and attention to detail, which enabled the modernization of the maintenance log for the purchase of $1.9 million worth materials and equipment. During her tenure, the maintenance squadron deployed 55 Airman and seven aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The guidon was then passed which signified the change of command after Duffy's momentous occasion.

McCray, who has been a full-time maintenance operations officer as an Air Reserve Technician at the 459 MXG for the past three years, thanked Banavige for the opportunity to lead the squadron.

"When I was told I was going to be squadron commander for MXS I was really excited," said McCray. "I had a lot of people to help me get here."

McCray said his priority is to continue to ensure the member's families and jobs stay secure so the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program, the Unit Compliance Inspection and the NORI, can be handled properly.

"There will be times when we have 72 hours or less to respond to a crisis," said McCray. "We must be ready at a moment's notice."

The new commander cited a quote from Winston Churchill- "To every man there comes ... that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour."

McCray said his focus is on taking care of everything the unit will need for deployments.

"I will ensure training, medical and other deployment readiness needs are met so we can take care of the mission and get home safe, said McCray."