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Change is ubiquitous

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ben Sakrisson
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  The motto of the 96th Air Refueling Squadron is "UBIQUE," Latin for "everywhere," and today the squadron that has its members "everywhere" throughout the Pacific theater has a new commander.

Command of the 96th ARS transitioned from Lt. Col. Brian Hill to Lt. Col. Brian Deutsch during a ceremony at the Missing Man Memorial here this morning.

"The squadron has proved itself throughout many challenges over the last two years, and will continue to prove itself under my leadership in the future," said Deutsch. "I will carry on the proud heritage of the 96th Air Refueling Squadron and strive to live up to its motto."

The new commander came to the squadron from the 15th Wing Chief of Safety position, also on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, where he recently led the Wing Safety Office through an "Excellent" Consolidated Unit Inspection. Prior to his tenure in Wing Safety, he worked for the Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs as his executive officer and as a branch chief in the Disclosure and Technical Transfer Division.

Deutsch brings a wealth of flight experience with him to his command position at the 96th. He has over 3,000 hours in both the KC-135R/T and T-6 and has served in numerous operations throughout the world, ranging from Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom to Operation Allied Force.

"After two years it's obviously bittersweet to say goodbye but it affords us an opportunity to thank an excellent group of Airman who have excelled at everything they do," said Hill. "Your spouses will always be family to us."

The outgoing commander led the "Screamin' Eagles" through the squadron reactivation, an Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation Visit, a CUI, and was recognized as Pacific Air Forces' most outstanding air refueling squadron in 2011 and nominated for the Carl A. Spaatz Trophy; the highest level annual award in the Air Force - given to recognize the most outstanding air refueling squadron.

"As I transition to the 96th I am definitely standing on the shoulders of a giant," reflected Deutsch.