LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 633d Air Base Wing welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony here Thursday in the 94th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hangar. Col. Korvin D. Auch assumed command from Col. Donald Kirkland with Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Hoog, 9th Air Force commander, officiating.
"The mission that every Soldier, Airman, civilian and contractor performs here is so very critical," said Colonel Auch, who comes to the 633d ABW from the 397th Expeditionary Mission Support Group in Southwest Asia.
"I witnessed more than 300 fallen warriors, which transited our base on their final journey to the United States," he said. "Those moments have sunk deep into my mind, my heart, my soul, and demonstrate the reason and importance of the mission we do in the United States military.
"I will use that as my key motivator for me, and for my Airmen, Soldiers, civilians and contractors that are here to help get the mission done," Colonel Auch said during his speech. "I will do my best to make sure you understand how very important the mission you do everyday plays into our nation's defense."
This is his second assignment at Langley, previously serving as commander of the then 1st Mission Support Squadron.
"We have a remarkable mission at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, we are empowered by installation support and a very large area long in tradition and major missions that occur on these two bases," said Colonel Auch. "We help to enable missions around the world every day. I think of it as we are providing a place for other units to present their flag and perform their missions."
Colonel Auch is a 1989 graduate of Moorhead State University, Minn., where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and his commission from the North Dakota State University Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Colonel Kirkland, who has commanded the wing since January 2010, will transfer to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon, where he will be the executive officer to the chief of staff of the Air Force.