388th FW gets new leader

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times Editor
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  "The Airmen of Hill Air Force Base are a special breed," said Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, commander, 12th Air Force, Air Combat Command, and commander, Air Forces Southern, U.S. Southern Command, during the 388th Change of Command ceremony held June 14.

"Each of you has answered the call to duty during this hour of great need for our country, and each of you is doing something against the crime of evil."

The 12th Air Force commander thanked Col. Scott Long and his wife, Staci, for their service, and charged the incoming commander, Col. Lance Landrum, to lead from the front with passion and represent his Airmen with class and dignity.

In December 1994, Landrum served under then-Maj. Rand during a certification period for weapons flight training. The general said that when he met Landrum and his wife, Karin, he and his wife, Kim, knew they were in the presence of a special couple.

Rand noted the colonel's preparation for this leadership position with time spent as a commander of an air expeditionary operations group, 2,400 flying hours, 397 combat hours, four air medals and earning a Bronze Star. "You were hand-picked for this position," Rand said to Landrum during the ceremony.

In describing Landrum, he said that like Long, "He is a fighter pilot's fighter pilot," but that he also possessed a doctorate in air combat.

The 388th Fighter Wing serves alongside Hill's Reserve Unit, the 419th Fighter Wing, as a Total Force Initiative and representatives from the 419th FW and 75th Air Base Wing attended the ceremony.

Landrum noted in remarks following the ceremony that among the greatest challenges he sees ahead are the effects of sequestration and the budget.

"They greatly reduced our ability to fly. [Combined they have] reduced our ability to turn airplanes and will eventually impact things like ordering spare parts," he said.

Landrum highlighted some of the actions that will be taken to help combat the impacts sequestration has had on air combat readiness.

"We are taking as many measures possible to mitigate the impact by accomplishing ground training, skill level, introductory skill training and pilot training, as well as teaming up pilots in simulator training," he said.

Among his goals are to maintain the highest of combat readiness possible for the men and women of the wing and their equipment.

"We have to provide combative Airpower to the combatant air commanders, and we have to do it as professional Airmen. We have to be trained. We have to be competitive. We have to be professional - that is everything from knowing your job to maintaining equipment and personal readiness. That is our goal," he said.

In his remarks, Landrum said he is excited to be back at Hill. He served here as an F-16 instructor pilot and assistant weapons officer and scheduler in the 4th Fighter Squadron during from January 1996 to August 1998. He looks forward to working with the members of Team Hill, senior leadership, 388th and 419th Airmen and community members.

"The 388th has a record as being a strong fighter wing. (It) is a legacy that demands our attention so that we can continue to protect the heritage of our past and serve with honor."