PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFRC) -- When a family loses a member it is a time filled with emotions. It was no different during the March unit training assembly when the 302nd Airlift Wing bid farewell to its commander, Brig. Gen. William P. Kane.
General Kane turned the wing over to Col. James J. Muscatell Jr. in a change-of-command ceremony here March 4, immediately followed by a ceremony honoring the end of the general’s 37-year career serving the United States of America. The general is the first 302nd AW commander to retire from the wing, his six predecessors having all moved on to other assignments after commanding the 302nd.
The general took charge of the wing in July 2004 and during his command the 302nd was tasked with numerous responsibilities. The summer of 2004 was the wing’s busiest aerial firefighting season to date, flying more than 325 Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System missions. The wing witnessed a pair of mobilizations, nearly 50 of members in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in December 2004, and approximately 450 members in support of U.S. Central Command operations in Southwest Asia in August and October 2005.
The wing stood up the 70th Flying Training Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy in October 2005. Reservists there help train cadets involved in flying, soaring and parachuting, and are also involved in the screening process for the Undergraduate Pilot Training program.
Additionally, wing manning increased 10 percent during General Kane’s tenure.
Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, officiated General Kane’s retirement ceremony. After presenting General Kane with the Legion of Merit, he spoke about the wing members, those both present and deployed, and about the mobilization, which will end later this year.
“Their performance has been magnificent, as has yours,” he said. “Your mobilization will be done, but we’re still going to need you.
“Our retention is at an all time high,” he said of the command. “The people like being part of this organization, they like being part of this family.”
As he praised the Air Force Reserve, General Bradley did not lose sight of the reason everyone was gathered – to honor General Kane.
“He’s had a fabulous career,” General Bradley said. “He’s been a great leader.” General Bradley also praised Mrs. Kane and the Kane children for the sacrifices they made during General Kane’s career.
“Diane and I have felt since the first day we got here as if we were a part of the family,” said General Kane as he reflected back on a brief, but memorable tenure with the 302nd. “Thank you – and God Bless America.”
General Kane was also honored with a farewell dinner March 3, an event attended by about 175 people. Col. Jay Santee, commander of the host unit 21st Space Wing, honored the general as a “partner, neighbor and friend” of the 21st SW.
General and Mrs. Kane will continue to be neighbors, choosing to remain in the Colorado Springs area – and they will forever be a part of the 302nd family.