JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Saying farewell to this beautiful island and remarkable Wing is hard to do and has been looming in the back of my mind for quite some time. Saying farewell to each of you is difficult beyond words; however, the time has come. As tough as it will be for Kelly and I, and our children; Sydney, Phoebe, and Sam, to move on from the home and family we've made over the last three years, I can rest easy.

Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant used to say, "Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working for a common good."

The 15th Wing professionals are living proof of this every day. As the former vice commander, I knew what an unbelievable team I had from day one. I could never have known, however, the adventure and opportunities we'd encounter during my time as commander over the next two years.

Honoring the 70th anniversary of December 7th was such a privilege to share with all of you. To look out in the crowd and see the survivors that fought to protect this very soil interact with the youngest members of our great Air Force was a very emotional and humbling experience.

Whether the goal was a Consolidated Unit Inspection or supporting the Asian Pacific Economic Conference, through teamwork, you achieved great things time and again.

We joined our Ohana from the Hawaii Air National Guard and advanced the ball with Total Force Integration. We have always played on the same team, but the ability to conduct the mission hand-in-hand on a daily basis provides invaluable experience for the deployed environment.

A powerful example of TFI in action was seen during Operation Tomodachi when the 15th Wing rapidly responded to disaster in Japan. Together we pioneered new techniques and procedures for operating in a radiological environment, and provided support in creating a mass evacuation plan for American citizens if it became necessary. Aircrews cycled to and from Japan for several months flying relief missions to some of the most devastated areas, while simultaneously maintaining our on-going commitments back at home. Your tireless efforts were a shining beacon of hope in the midst of desperation.

The 2010 merger of Pearl Harbor and Hickam AFB, and the creation of the Joint Base, was a huge challenge, but we have without a doubt established foundations for future success. We came together with our Navy partners and formed a more complete team and the benefits, to both branches, are felt each and every day. Thank you for sticking together and never letting the mission falter while we learned new processes.

There's no question that the 15th Wing has been scoring touchdowns for a long time and I am so honored to have had the distinguished privilege of serving Team Hickam for the past three years. You, the players of the 15th Wing, have given me the honor of passing the playbook with a sense of pride and allowed me the comfort of knowing a bright future is in store for the wing.