News>Airmen support historic change of command in Afghanistan
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Royal Air Force Air Commodore Ashley Stevenson (right) takes command of Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, from U.S. Army Col. Richard L. Stevens July 31. Presiding over the historic change-of-command ceremony is Royal Netherlands Maj. Gen. Freek Meulman (left), the International Security Assistance Force deputy commander for air. The ceremony culminated a year-long effort to bring Kandahar under NATO control. The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
A military coalition honor flight marches on to the parade ground at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, July 31 for a historic change-of-command ceremony that culminated a year-long effort to bring Kandahar under NATO control. The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
Staff Sgt. Gilbert Gonzalez, Staff Sgt. Christopher Lilly, and Tech. Sgt. Jimmy Tron secure the NATO flag at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, July 31, during a historic change-of-command ceremony that culminated a year-long effort to bring Kandahar under NATO control. The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team. The three Airmen are deployed from the 48th Security Forces Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
Maj. Chad Steffey directs the U.S. Central Air Forces band at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, July 31 during a historic change-of-command ceremony that culminated a year-long effort to bring Kandahar under NATO control. The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
Afghan National Army Air Corps Brig. Gen. Mohammad Yousaf renders honors July 31 during a historic change-of-command ceremony at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, that culminated a year-long effort to bring Kandahar under NATO control. The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team. General Yousaf is the assistant commander of the ANA aviation garrison at Kandahar. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
Royal Air Force Air Commodore Ashley Stevenson addresses the assembly after taking command of Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, July 31. The historic change-of-command ceremony culminated a year-long effort to bring Kandahar under NATO control. The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi)
by Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs
8/1/2007 - KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Airmen provided support for a historic change-of-command ceremony that brought the International Security and Assistance Force's largest operating base here under NATO control July 31.
The U.S. Central Command Air Forces expeditionary band performed a series of military marches and hymns during the ceremony as Royal Air Force Air Commodore Ashley Stevenson assumed command of Kandahar Air Field from Army Col. Richard Stevens.
"It was an honor and a privilege to come here and perform for this important and historic event," said Maj. Chad Steffey, CENTAF band commander. "I'm proud of my Airmen. It was challenging with the schedules and transportation to get here, but we pulled it off and everyone performed very well."
Colonel Steven's personal security detachment, which is made up of Air Force security forces Airmen, also served as the flag detail for the event.
"I couldn't be more proud of them," said Colonel Stevens of the Airmen. "They were selected [as the PSD] for their training and capabilities, which is really service independent. They are talented, well-trained and they do good work."
Kandahar AF is headed by four lead stakeholder nations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Royal Netherlands. The nations primarily share responsibility for providing life support and maintenance of facilities and structures on the installation. Up until now, the U.S. military has run the base.
The ceremony marked the first time NATO has taken full control of a large airfield and operational staging base in an active operational theater using a multi-national team.
Air Commodore Stevensen said he also looks forward to working with the Airmen deployed to Kandahar AF, most in Army positions, as well as the 10,000 other joint and coalition servicemembers and civilians here.
"I've always had a close relationship with the U.S. Air Force," said Air Commodore Stevenson. "Ever since I first attended pilot training at Sheppard [Air Force Base, Texas] 25 years ago, I've had some contact one way or another with Airmen."
He said that partnership between the Air Force and all the servicemembers at Kandahar will benefit the mission.
"The use of the airfield is not going to be so different," he said. "My intent is to have a seamless transition, a continuity and unity of effort here as we work to our goal of handing over Kandahar Air Field to Afghanistan for both civilian and military operations."
