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Col. Rock takes command of 366th Fighter Wing
Col. Anthony J. Rock formally took command of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB last Wednesday, during change of command ceremonies presided over by Brig. Gen. Thomas K. Andersen, 12th Air Force vice commander.
The flag was passed from Col. Charles K. Shugg, who is moving on to command the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid airbase in Qatar.
12th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Mark Schmidt, a former commander of the 366th, was unable to attend because he was recovering from back surgery, but his wife, Lisa, was on hand during the ceremonies held in Hanger 211 on base.
Col. Rock comes from Air Combat Command Headquarters in Langley, Va., where he has been Deputy Director of Requirements since June of last year.
He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours flown in T-37, T-38, T-41, and F-15 aircraft.
With the base's squadrons standing in formation, members of the Duck Valley Reservation tribes offered a salute to both the outgoing and incoming commanders with several drum honor songs that tribal chairman Terry Gibson noted had been sung historically by the Shoshone and Paiute warriors as they went into battle.
Prior to the formal change of command Col. Shugg was presented with the Legion of Merit medal for his "superb operational leadership" and his "superior initiative," in leading the wing during the last two years, a tour that saw a number of units on base earn top honors from the Air Force, as well as a large number of small-unit deployments in support of operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Noble Eagle (homeland security).
Idaho Adjutant General Maj. Gen. LeFrenz also presented Shugg with a certificate of appreciation for his support of operations by the Idaho National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Andersen told the crowd of airmen and community dignitaries that the day marked the change in leadership "from one accomplished leader to another."
He praised Shugg for his leadership during his tour as wing commander, noting the wing had been recognized as one of the best in the Air Force.
And he praised the support and involvement of Col. Shugg's wife, Suzie, in the wing's affairs and her role as an ambassador for the wing.
"Now," he said, "the Air Force has sent us another tremendous family. Tony, Gen. Schmidt and I are pleased to welcome you to 12th Air Force. Your outstanding reputation precedes you, and I know you and your wife, Kim, will be the perfect team here.
"We look forward to your leadership as you take the Gunfighters to new heights."
Speaking to the assembled airmen, Andersen noted that "this change of command is about you as much as it is" the wing commanders, and he praised them for their accomplishments over the last two years.
Col. Shugg, in his farewell address, said that he had been honored to be "Gunfighter 1," the call sign of his F-15E, and praised the wing's troops for their hard work and accomplishments.
"You've been very busy," he told the airmen he had commanded, adding, "I hope to have the privilege of serving with you in the future."
And, he told the Gunfighters, that in Col. Rock, a man he had worked with in the past, "you are in good hands."
He also praised the community for its support, and promised he and his wife would return to visit the many friends they had made locally.
Col. Rock thanked Andersen "for the trust you have placed in me," and said he hoped that he "could do half as well" as Col. Shugg had done.
He said the "Gunfighter warriors" had made a huge first impression on him, and added, "we look forward to working with you to make the 366th America's on-call choice for airpower."
At the conclusion of the ceremonies his name was revealed on the side of Gunfighter 1.
Activities then moved to the Gunfighter Club for a reception honoring Shugg and Rock.