TOP STROY>>‘Center of Excellence’ under new command

By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Col. Mark Czelusta, 314th Airlift Wing outgoing commander, passed on the guidon, and command of the wing, to Col. Edward Brewer, the new 314th Airlift Wing commander, on Tuesday.

It was a bittersweet day, said Czelusta, who assumed command of the 314th AW in August 2010.

“It’s hard to say farewell to this mission, these Airmen, this base and this community,” he said.

Major Gen. Mark Solo, 19th Air Force commander and officiating officer for the event, said the change of command was an important event in Arkansas history and for the historic wing.

“This is the premier tactical airlift wing in the Air Force, and you all make it look easy,” Solo said.

Before relinquishing command, Czelusta said farewell to the wing, base and community he had been working for and with for the past 22 months.

“I’m optimistic about the future of this wing because you are a group of people who get it like few others can,” he said.

Czelusta talked about the mission, standards, partnership, innovation and focus required by that goes into making a wing succeed, and he was quick to praise his Airmen, his partners at Team Little Rock and the community that supports the base.

“Any achievements we’ve accomplished had nothing to do with anything on my desk,” he said. “It’s because of the work you all put in.”

Community support is unparalleled at the Rock, Czelusta said.

“You all were supporting this base before it was politically (expedient) to do it,” he said. “This is your base, your mission and these are your Airmen.”

While Czelusta said leaving the 314th AW would carve an empty spot in his heart, his successor, Brewer, said he was excited and humbled to be taking on the challenge of commanding the Center of Excellence.

“I look forward to collaborating and working with all of you,” he said. “I’m humbled to take on this assignment, but confident because I know I will not be making this journey alone.”

Brewer thanked the Airmen of the 314th AW for their devotion to duty, and said he has high hopes for their futures together.

“There’s a rich heritage at this wing, that’s why it’s the tactical airlift Center of Excellence,” he said. “I’m extremely honored to be your new commander and know we will make a difference together.”