LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin A. Huyck assumed command of the 1st Fighter Wing from U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin J. Robbins during a change of command ceremony held at the 94th Aircraft Maintenance Unit hangar on Langley Air Force Base, Va., July 15.
Huyck takes command of a wing rich in history, leading the men and women of both the 1st Operations and Maintenance Groups, including the famous "Fightin' Eagles" of the 27th Fighter Squadron and the "Hat-in-the-Ring Gang" of the 94th Fighter Squadron. But Huyck is no stranger to the 1st Fighter Wing, having served at Langley in 1993 as part of the now inactive 71st Fighter Squadron.
"It's truly a great honor to be back in the 1st Fighter Wing," he said. "To the men and women of the 1st Fighter Wing, your efforts and accomplishments are truly a testament to what you bring to the table. It's why we can hold our adversaries' vulnerabilities at risk and why the enemy is indeed scared."
Although the wing recently underwent challenges resulting from reduced flying hours in the fiscally-constrained environment, Huyck is committed to returning to combat mission-ready status.
"My number one focus is mission readiness," said Huyck. "My job as 1st Fighter Wing commander is to make sure the resources are there and we are ready when the call comes to provide air dominance anywhere in the world."
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. H.D. Polumbo Jr., 9th Air Force commander, expressed his confidence in Huyck, having personally worked with him in Afghanistan.
"Colonel Huyck brings a leadership style that enhances and promotes a commitment to service and he has an impressive track record of success," Polumbo said. "You can be confident in your new commander because these qualities will be central in this community and organization."
Huyck assumes command after serving as an executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for operations with Headquarters International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
For Robbins, who commanded the 1st FW since May 2011, the change of command was his last before going into retirement.