New commander pilots Warriors of the North

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 319th Air Base Wing welcomed a new commander during a change-of-command ceremony July 13 here in company of more than 500 military members and civilians.

Col. Timothy E. Bush, former vice commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., succeeded Col. Donald L. Shaffer, whose next assignment will take him to the Pentagon.

"I am honored and humbled to become your commander," Colonel Bush said. "I am extremely excited and grateful for the privilege to serve both for and with you all. We will be successful together."

Colonel Bush has logged more than 2,100 hours as a senior pilot, flying the KC-135 Stratotanker, T-37 Tweet and T-38 Talon. He has also served as the presidential advance agent for Air Force One and aide de camp to multiple senior officers including U.S. Joint Forces Command, 908th Expeditionary ARW, 384th Air Refueling Squadron, and the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron.

"Colonel Bush's extensive experience in air mobility across a number of key leadership positions will prove instrumental in addressing the challenges and changes taking place here," said Brig. Gen. William J. Bender, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander. "His impressive resume and abilities make him the perfect choice to follow Colonel Shaffer as the next commander of the 319th Air Base Wing."

General Bender, who served as wing commander here in 2005, also shared words regarding Colonel Shaffer's time in charge of the Warriors of the North.

"It is truly impressive what the 319th has accomplished during colonel Shaffer's time as commander here," the general said. "The record of performance they have achieved and the goals they have met under his leadership have been nothing short of phenomenal."

Colonel Shaffer reflected upon his time here as he now plans for a move to the District of Columbia.

"This command tour marked another transition of Grand Forks Air Force Base and the long tradition and history of service we have provided to our nation," Colonel Shaffer said. "I know under the new leadership of Colonel Bush that the Airmen here are not only going to display how to get the job done the Grand Forks way, but to also show with awe and wonder at how well this wing can get it done every day.

"To the men and women of the 319th Air Base Wing and the surrounding community -- I thank you for all your fantastic support and I wish you all Godspeed," said the departing colonel. "May God bless the 319th, the Air Force and our nation."