Changing it up: Maintainers welcome new commander Published July 13, 2006 By Tim Rodenberger Public affairs Grand Forks AFB, ND -- Smiles and laughs were the order of the day as Lt. Col. Michael T. England finished his farewell speech at his change of command ceremony July 6. Colonel England stepped down from the podium, looked at former wing commander Col. Bill Bender and said, “Sir, if you need another maintenance commander, you call me.” Colonel Bender, only too happy to oblige the request, stood up, shook his hand and replied, “You got it.” Colonel England then relinquished command of the 319th Maintenance Group to Col. Raymond C. Corcoran. Colonel England hails from Ohio, where he received his Bachelor of Science and commission from the University of Akron in 1984 and later his Masters of Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1989. Using his knowledge and education in the field of aircraft maintenance, Colonel England worked on various airframes throughout the Air Force, from KC-135s to F-22 Raptors. Colonel England assumed command of the group last September, leading it to regularly exceed standards in maintenance quality and service. However, he quickly pointed out that the accomplishments of the group were entirely due to the Warriors of the North, and that he “just happened to be here.” To cap the accomplishments of the group, Colonel Corcoran described a new leader’s duty as “going in good and coming out better.” Smiling, he added, “You guys (the group) are really going to make my job difficult.” Colonel Corcoran received a Bachelors of Science and Business from the University of Massachusetts in 1984, a Masters degree in 1995 and attended the Air War College in 2003. He is well versed in the maintenance of numerous types of aircraft and has served at various key installations in a variety of leadership positions. Colonel Corcoran took command of the group with enthusiasm, stating how he was “happy” to be in Grand Forks, and ready to settle down and work with his new group. After the speeches and the change of command, Colonel England stepped down from the stage to hear the startling noise of the hangar alarm, pulled by one of his former maintenance crew in honor of his departure. Colonel England smiled widely, made a gesture of triumph and walked away, obviously confident the group was in good hands.