Milestone: History-making commander joins Air Mobility Command

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. --  Heritage and horizons are among Air Force hallmarks, and Col. Stayce D. Harris said she is proud to play a part in both. Her departure after three years as the 459th Air Refueling Wing commander July 31 cemented her place in history for women, minorities and the Air Force, and simultaneously sparked new possibilities as she joins Air Mobility Command Headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Her new title is a mouthful -- Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs at Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. But the colonel said her job mainly involves bringing a unique perspective about forward thinking in the Air Force. Currently, she will be the only traditional Reservist with wing commander experience on the Air Mobility Command staff.

"I get to personally tell the Air Force Reserve story and help form greater partnerships with our active duty counterparts," Colonel Harris said. "I look forward to being able to turn my experiences as a commander here into a voice for Air Force Reservists at Air Mobility Command."

Her forward thinking skills developed from a humble but diverse history. Colonel Harris, the first African American woman to command an operational flying wing in the Air Force, said her love of country and service began early as an "Air Force brat" traveling the world with her father, an enlisted technical sergeant and her mother, a banker. The Los Angeles, Calif., native explained that her wanderlust was the result of extensive childhood travel and relocations to include the United States, Japan, England and beyond.

"It doesn't feel rootless, it was just what I was used to," Colonel Harris said. "Traveling is my passion and has allowed me to meet so many people and learn the ways of various cultures."

Despite frequent moves and constant new schools, Colonel Harris returned to her birthplace and entered the Air Force through the University of Southern California's Reserve Officer Training Corps.

She said she was only casually familiar with the Tuskegee Airmen and their contributions to the Air Force when a fellow officer alerted her to a Tuskegee Airmen conference in New York in 1983 - a few months later, she would be off to pilot training.

"To meet the Tuskegee Airmen -- people who paved the way for diversity -- was just a phenomenal inspiration," the colonel said. "I remember thinking 'I will not let them down' because they worked so hard to integrate the Air Force so that any participating man or woman can achieve the goals they want - which is really civil rights."

Colonel Harris said her philosophy of servant leadership style allowed her to appreciate all talent and walks of life. Despite the fact that she carved her niche in history, she said she sees her responsibility as more than simply being "the first" based on race or gender.

"Everyday I wake up I'm a black woman, so I couldn't let that alone be what brought significance to the wing and being in a leadership position," the colonel said. "I believe in taking care of people, and they will in turn take care of the mission, take care of each other and take care of you."

Her popularity is evident in the lives she touched well beyond the gates of Team Andrews. The Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison Office and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) recently invited Colonel Harris to visit the Capitol rotunda as the Air Force and its sister services observed the 60th anniversary since racial integration was mandated in the military.

On July 26, 1948, President Harry S Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."

Colonel Harris said she looks forward to helping mold the AFRC's future at Scott AFB, while continuing to track the 459th ARW's strives to be the premiere flying wing in AFRC.

"It's easy to get overshadowed in a metropolitan area like D.C., so I'd like to see the contributions of wing members here continue to get recognized and have a distinct identity."

She encourages all commanders to get out in the trenches with their Airmen, go on temporary duty assignments to learn specific missions and embrace the wingman concept.

"Continue to take care of each other, mentor each other and carry on the incredible Liberator spirit I've witnessed," Colonel Harris said. "You are warfighters, peacekeepers and I hope our paths will cross again soon."