OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Maintenance Group welcomed their newest commander during a change of command ceremony held inside the Bennie L. Davis Maintenance Facility here July 24.
In time-honored tradition, Col. Todd Hammond relinquished command of the 55 MXG and Col. Donny Bagwell assumed command.
The ceremony was officiated by Col. Gavin Marks, 55th Wing commander, who praised Col. Hammond for improving many areas of aircraft maintenance.
“Over the course of two years, Todd Hammond ensured that when our nation called the 55th Wing, we were able to answer with respect to generating combat power“, Marks said. “He ensured that our aircrew had more aircraft available to them for training, for combat, for higher headquarters directed missions than in any other time in the illustrious history of the Fightin’ 55th.”
Col. Hammond will now depart Offutt for a position as the deputy director for Headquarters Air Force A9, Studies, Analysis, and Assessments.
“It has been my greatest honor to be your commander,” Hammond said. “I salute you and I am proud to boast our new motto ‘One Team, No Seam’.
Col. Bagwell last served as the director of logistics for the United States Air Forces Central Command at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. He will now command 1,200 members of the 55th MXG who provide maintenance for all variants of C-135 aircraft in the wing inventory.
“Col Marks, thank you for the nice introduction this morning and thank you for choosing me to be the commander of the greatest maintenance group in the United States Air Force,” Bagwell said. “
Due to COVID-19 attendance limitations, the ceremony was also live-streamed on Facebook for those unable to attend the ceremony.