United States Transportation Command

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (USTCNS) --- The Honor Guard posted the colors, members of the Air Force Band played the National Anthem, a flag was passed and command of the 89th Airlift Wing changed hands during a ceremony in Hangar 3 here earlier this month.

Col. Glenn F. Spears assumed command from Brig. Gen. James A. Hawkins. Maj. Gen. George "Nick" Williams, 21st Air Force commander, officiated at the ceremony.

Hawkins, who received his second star, heads to the Pentagon where he will serve as vice director of the Joint Staff.

Spears came to Andrews AFB from the Pentagon where he served as executive officer to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael E. Ryan since April 2000.

"The 89th is a very well-running wing," said Spears. "I have no intention of coming in to stir things up."

Spears said he plans on focusing on the basics during the initial phase of his assignment here. He describes his "rules of engagement" for the wing as focusing on excellence, trust and teamwork.

"The members of the wing already sustain a high level of excellence," Spears said. "We need to maintain that level with trust and teamwork among our military members, civilians and family members. No individual on this base can execute the demanding missions of this wing by themselves.

One change he has implemented upon taking command is doing away with the term "tenant" unit and replacing it with "partner" unit.

"We have nearly 60 partner units on Andrews. The wing, as the host base, does an excellent job of supporting those units," said Spears. "I take that role very seriously. Their missions are equally as important as ours. We will continue t support their needs as full partners on Andrews."

Spears is a command pilot with over 3,100 flight hours in B-1B and B-52D/G/H bombers; KC-135A/Q/R/T, MC-130H and C-21A aircraft; T-37B and T-38A trainer aircraft.

Having served in and commanded numerous units with combat
missions, Spears said he looks forward to leading the 89th AW and its special airlift mission.

"Our mission is no less important than those with combat missions," he explained. "If we carry our mission right -- transporting key national leaders -- there's a good probability that we can help prevent crises around the world."

Born in Kentucky and raised in Illinois, Spears graduated from the United States Air Force Academy prior to entering the Air Force in 1978. He has served at numerous locations across the country and overseas to include a tour in England as Commander of an expeditionary air refueling wing and part of Operation ALLIED FORCE during the Kosovo Campaign.

(FROM ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

Andrews Air Force Base welcomes new commander

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