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Colonel Beaubien takes over as director of staff

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, recently announced that Col. Seth Beaubien will be the new director of staff beginning March 4.

Colonel Beaubien will replace Lt. Col. Brian J. Mahoney as he leaves on deployment.

"The Wing Staff is a great group of Airmen providing a wide variety of critical support functions to Colonel Shaffer and the base as a whole," said Colonel Beaubien. "I am extremely excited to work with and learn from all the experts on the staff."

As the new director of staff, Colonel Beaubien explained he plans on stressing the four Es: Execute today's global mobility mission; Enable the transition to the Unmanned Aerial System mission; Empower our Airmen to succeed; and Encourage the development of the Warriors of the North.

"It is critically important that we keep these four goals in our minds," said Colonel Beaubien. "We need to safely accomplish the day to day tanker missions as we continue our presence downrange and around the world. We need to be thoughtful and prepare to host our future UAS mission. We need to continue setting the table of success for our Airmen. Lastly, we each have the responsibility to train our replacements and ensure each Warrior of the North has the opportunity to flourish and reach his or her potential."

Colonel Mahoney is leaving proud and impressed with the Warriors of the North, but wishing the tour was a little bit longer.

"It has been my privilege to work with the proud warriors of the DS for the last 20 months," said Colonel Mahoney. "I truly wish I had more time to get to know many of you better, I continue to be impressed with your great work and patriotism."