Fairchild welcomes new wing commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Col. Thomas Sharpy, new commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, received a warm welcome from base and community members as he assumed his command during a ceremony here May 22. Colonel Sharpy comes to Fairchild from the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., where he served as vice commander.

With his experience at Travis and as a former commander of the 9th Airlift Squadron at Dover AFB, Del., the colonel is very familiar with air refueling and airlift missions. Since his 1987 graduation from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., the KC-135 pilot has also served as the deputy operations group commander at Dover and as a senior military aide to the vice president of the United States in Washington D.C.

While presiding over the change of command ceremony, Maj. Gen. James Hawkins, 18th Air Force commander, said Colonel Sharpy "has had great exposure to our United States Air Force ... He comes very well prepared to be the commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing."

General Hawkins went on to say that the colonel's priority lies with family and taking care of people, a point the new commander echoed as he accepted his new leadership role. Colonel Sharpy went so far as to say that everything he's learned about effective leadership, he learned from his parents and family members, listing fellowship, balance, and the importance of values and hard work as his cornerstones.

"I hope that I can lead in the same manner (my parents) have taught me to lead my life," he said. "And there's no place I'd rather be than here right now."

The colonel also said he can already see that Team Fairchild is "well trained and ready to go ... I look forward to working with you, I look forward to learning from you, and I look forward to leading you."

Colonel Sharpy succeeds former commander Col. Scott Hanson, who is on his way to Scott AFB, Ill., to assume his new position as deputy director of the operations and plans directorate, U.S. Transportation Command.