JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM -- Col. Kevin Gordon became the 72nd commander of the 15th Wing following a ceremony today on the JBPHH flightline.
Gordon took command of the Wing as Col. Randy Huiss, outgoing commander, bid the base one final "Aloha."
“It’s hard to believe it’s been two years to the day I stood on this stage taking the guidon of the best wing in the Air Force,” he said. “I felt incredibly humbled then and nothing has changed today.”
Huiss noted that during his tenure as commander, the Wing and Airmen lived up to his first impression.
“I’ve been nothing but impressed since day one. The impact this wing has on world events is simply amazing and it’s all because of the work you do,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Russell Handy, Pacific Air Forces commander, said the day marks a celebration of “a tremendous command coming to a close and another tremendous command about to begin.”
During the ceremony, Huiss was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious conduct and performance of outstanding services as the 15th Wing commander.
“When I took command one of the things I charged you with was giving our president options,” he said. “Whether that be an open hand with humanitarian assistance or a closed fist … that’s our job and you did it magnificently. When the devastating earthquake in Nepal happened, our C-17s and fellow Airmen on the ground sprang to life, delivering hope and saving lives. When our senior leaders called on us to deliver a closed fist, the Hawaiian Raptors flawlessly executed combat ops with pinpoint accuracy and a total force style all their own.”
Huiss said the list of accolades and accomplishments the Wing achieved during his tenure, “is simply phenomenal.”
“I’m forever grateful to have had the opportunity to serve with you and I know you’ll continue to excel to greater heights under Col. Gordon’s leadership,” he said.
Gordon, who also replaced Huiss as commander at a previous assignment said he is truly “humbled and honored,” to take command of the Wing following Huiss, though he knows he has big shoes to fill.
“I know the Wing has the exact right focus and has been extremely well-led,” he said. “You [Randy] and Sarah have led masterfully, and please know I will do my best to care for our Wing like I know you would.”
Gordon is a 1994 graduate of the University of New Hampshire and a senior pilot with more than 3,100 hours in the C-17A, T-1A and T-37B. Prior to taking command of the 15th Wing, he was vice commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del. where he served as assistant to the commander for leadership in the combined C-5 and C-17 wing, providing worldwide movement of high priority personnel and cargo.