Reserve wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Charlie Miller
  • 445th Airlift Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  The 445th Airlift Wing welcomed a new commander in a ceremony held inside the new fuel system hangar April 6, 2008.

Col. Stephen D. Goeman, who recently served as the vice commander of the 459th Air Refueling Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., took command from Brig. Gen. Bruce E. Davis. The Change of Command Ceremony was officiated by Maj. Gen. Robert Duignan, 4th Air Force commander and former 445th Airlift Wing commander.

"Wow. That's all I can say; wow," Colonel Goeman said, addressing the wing for the first time as commander.

After introducing his family and saying a few words about each one of them the colonel addressed the wing directly; "That's my family. I want to become part of your family."

The colonel impressed members of the 445th with his knowledge of the wing and its many recent individual, squadron and group awards.

"How in the heck can you win the (Master Sgt. James) Clouse (Maintenance Excellence) trophy on the most challenging aircraft in the Air Force?" Colonel Goeman asked Col. Anna Schulte, 445th Maintenance Group commander during his address. "That's the family I want to join. I don't know how I can make it any better."

Sometime before arriving, Colonel Goeman and General Davis were at a meeting together and, when time permitted, talked about the 445th. "General Davis talked at length about this wing and I got the hidden message 'You've got a pretty good thing here; don't screw it up.'" The colonel thanked General Davis for guiding the wing during the recent Operational Readiness Inspection.

The new commander received an audible response from wing members when he carefully and tactfully announced that he is, in fact, a graduate of the University of Michigan. As he discussed "the school up north" Colonel Goeman, with good cheer, noted the huge rivalry most Ohioans enjoy with the Wolverines. The colonel earned a degree in chemistry at University of Michigan in 1979.

"We are truly blessed to be here and be part of the 445th, we are excited," the new commander said, wrapping up his words to the wing.

Colonel Goeman was the senior air reserve technician responsible for 1,300 Airmen from 20 units while with the 459th. The wing employs eight KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. The colonel served as commander and deputy commander of the 514th Operations Group, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. Colonel Goeman also commanded the 76th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Bourgas Air Base, Bulgaria.

As a command pilot, the colonel has flown C-141's, KC-10A's, T-37's, T-38's and KC-135R's and has over 9,000 flying hours.

Colonel Goeman replaces General Davis, who was wing commander here one month shy of four years. General Davis will retire from the Air Force Reserve just days after the change of command ceremony and will reside in Florida.

"There will be a retirement party in Florida and everyone is invited," General Davis said. "Just call before you come."

As the general addressed the wing for the last time he listed some of the "absolutely amazing accomplishments" the 445th attained during his tenure, including "moving 20,557 patients (from the war zone) with 100% survivability rate."

He then addressed Colonel Goeman and bestowed the greatest of compliments on the men and women of the 445th saying "You've managed to get assigned to the best unit in the Department of Defense."