PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 302nd Mission Support Group’s newest commander took charge of the unit during an assumption of command ceremony at the 302nd Airlift Wing’s Summit Center here Oct.16.
Col. Richard T. Saunders assumed command of the group in front of a more than 100- person audience, receiving the unit’s guideon from 302nd AW commander, Col. James DeVere. Saunders takes command after the previous 302nd MSG commander, Col. Marty Hughes, departed the group for a new assignment as the commander of the 94th Mission Support Group at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in northwest Georgia.
DeVere presided over the ceremony, and discussed some of the priorities a commander is faced with to the group, challenging Saunders to the task he said lies ahead.
“Executing the mission ... that’s what I talk about all the time, mission-ready Airmen. It’s that simple,” DeVere said. “And that’s what Rich is working on with the support group. Also, lead people. Speak honest and open to your Airmen. Encourage your Airmen’s success by building trusting relations. And, improve the unit. Take it to the next level. That’s what we’re all here to do as commanders.”
Saunders, whose previous assignment was the Joint Logistics Operations Center director at Camp Smith in Hawaii, has also served in the past as a deputy mission support group commander at 512th MSG at Dover AFB, Del. Administratively, Saunders was placed in command of the 302nd MSG in July.
After accepting the MSG guideon during the ceremony, Saunders addressed the men and women of the 302nd MSG present, saying, “We are stronger, together.”
“I am here stronger because of people like you. We are stronger together,” Saunders said. “Often we stay silent or stolid, but others stay safe and we cope. I can’t promise you we won’t take risks. But I can assure you we won’t do so in the blind. If you want one, there’s a place for you on this team. Collectively, we must always get better, no matter what our current status is. Let’s give our all today, because if we’re complacent, we may find there is no tomorrow.”
He continued, pressing home his version of a “command philosophy.”
“I do not really have a command philosophy,” he pointed out. “Rather, my philosophy is to do and be what you need me to be to encourage that improvement. It’s about team building, it’s about service and it’s about ensuring that we realize the work that goes into defending this nation can’t be taken for granted.”
The mission of the 302nd MSG is to provide leadership, management and oversight of wing support squadrons, flights and staff agencies for a wing that consists of eight C-130H3 aircraft as well as more than 1,200 Traditional Reservists and 250 Air Reserve Technicians and Federal General Schedule employees. Units making up the group include: 39th Aerial Port Squadron, 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 302nd Force Support Squadron, 302nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 302nd Security Forces Squadron and the 302nd Communication Flight.
Saunders was also presented with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony for duties performed while assisted to U.S. Pacific Command.