EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a ceremony Tuesday at 9:50 a.m., I assumed command of the 95th Air Base Wing, following the departure of Col. Brent Baker as he moved up to head the Global Logistics Supply Center. 

My vision for the 95th ABW is twofold - to deliver excellence in installation support and to organize, train, and equip combat-ready Airmen to support any contingency operation wherever and whenever they may be needed. By "Airmen," I mean the complete force -- active duty, Reserve, Guard, civil servant and contractor. We are one team, one fight!

Working as the wing vice commander for the past year, I learned a great deal about what direction we should be heading and how we should get there. 

Continuing to focus on developing combat-ready Airmen is foremost among my goals. We will continue to exercise our readiness skills regularly through Emergency Management Exercises and Operational Readiness Exercises. Through hard work and plenty of practice, I have no doubt we will Ace the Air Force Materiel Command Inspector General's Phase I re-look when they come back at the end of July. 

It's also important to me that Team Edwards is a fit workforce - fit in all the "4 Dimensions of Wellness." 4DW is a regular feature in the Desert Wings on the last Friday of each month. Keep an eye out for it in the June 29 edition of the paper. Until then, you can find more resources on how to stay physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially fit at the 4DW Web site. The address is www.edwards.af.mil/4dw. 

In the meantime, I'm honored to continue serving the 95th Air Base Wing as its commander, and I pledge that I will continue working to make sure the wing lives up to its motto - Warriors Supporting Warriors!

School's out for summer 

All across the country, children are enjoying their final days of school. In the Muroc Joint Unified School District, which includes our on-base schools, Thursday is the last day of attendance for students. 

It's an exciting time for our kids. Summer leaves more time for them to go out and have fun, which also means Edwards motorists need to be alert to ensure none are injured by vehicles driving through or near our housing areas. 

In keeping with the 101 Critical Days of Summer, motorists are asked to drive slowly in and around the housing areas, to include the Shoppette, Teen Center, Youth Center, sports fields and playgrounds. While our children are out for their summer break, motorists should be aware of kids enjoying their skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and bicycles. 

Congratulations to all our students on making it through another year of school, and have a safe summer!