LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron changed commanders during a ceremony held in the 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit hangar.
Lt. Col. Aaron Rigdon assumed command from Lt. Col. Clayton Seale, who is outbound to the island paradise of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Presiding over the ceremony, Col. George Zaniewski, 1st Maintenance Group Commander, took a few moments to reminisce about the past two years working with Seale.
"In the course of your time here, you've accomplished 16 CONUS TDY's, two completed AEFs with one underway, and broke new ground with Iron Falcon, the first ever Raptor deployment to Southwest Asia," he said. "All of this you accomplished on top of providing nearly 18,000 local training sorties for nearly 25,000 hours of flight time!"
Turning to face Seale, Zaniewski continued, "More important than all of that, you didn't just make a difference in your unit, you made a difference to the entire Air Force as we lead the way in the Raptor and Eagle Nations. All told, AMXS has done well and you can be proud of your time here."
Zaniewski then introduced the incoming commander.
"Aaron is a seasoned commanded, deep thinker, sortie generator; accountability and compliance are his watch words. He is a force to be reckoned with. He will care for his people with a heart the size of the Air Force mission," Zaniewski remarked.
"You've got some challenges ahead of you," Zaniewski told Rigdon. "Raptor Nation is counting on us to bring the results home and you are just the right commander to get us there!"
After his remarks, Seale took the stand to address the troops for the last time as their squadron commander.
"This has been the fastest two years of my life! I can't believe it's over and I really don't want to leave all that we have accomplished together. All that, the stuff that Colonel Zaniewski said, you did, each and every one of you," said Seale. "I am proud to have been a small part of your success over the last two years. I feel like the turtle that woke up one morning on top of a fencepost! Proud to have accomplished something no other turtle has ever done but I know I had help getting here!"
Following his address, the men and women of the 1 & 192 MXG gave a five-minute standing ovation. The orders were published and the men and women of the 1 AMXS gave their new commander his first salute.
"Leadership, team work and confidence -- with these we can do anything. I promise to give you everything I have and I look forward to an awesome show," Rigdon exclaimed.
After the ceremony, many of the chiefs and officers who worked alongside Seale expressed sadness at his departure. Chief Master Sgt. Peter Lammers of the 1 AMXS said Seale "was always calm under fire, a steady rock in the constant storm. He is leaving the AMXS better than how he found it."
Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Dawson of the 192 AMXS said Seale was "always there for his people, took the fire for them and allowed them to do their job on more than one occasion."
"He knew how to lead," continued Dawson, adding that Seale's fellow officers described him as "a man's man," "a rock of support," "calm and steady," "reliable," "down to earth" and "approachable."
Maj. Matthew Hummel of the 192 AMXS summed up the feelings of the maintainers, describing him as "a down to earth person, always there to empower you, helping you to solve the problem at hand while making you laugh as you learn life's tough lessons, and then picking you up when you fall."
"He will be missed," Hummel added.
Editor's note: The 1st and 192d Maintenance Group offer this special thanks to Lt. Col. Clayton Seale: Lt. Col. Seale, the men and women of the 1st and 192d Maintenance Group will miss your smiling face on the ramp, rain or shine; you were always there for us. Your leadership and dedication to each one of us is a strength we will miss. It has been an honor and a pleasure serving with you. Mrs. Seale, your constant motivation and caring for all of our spouses and loved ones while we were gone and in need brings a tear to the eye of all those whom you have touched. Thank you. Your unsung actions did not go unnoticed and you are already missed. The men and women of the 1st and 192d salute you both and wish you the best in your next command!