Col. Joseph McFall, right, takes the 52nd Fighter Wing colors from 3rd Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson at McFall's assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. At center is Command Chief Master Sgt. Brian Gates (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany — For the second time in seven months, airmen and community members packed into a hangar Thursday to welcome a new leader of the 52nd Fighter Wing.
But this time, the man picked for the job was no stranger to many in the crowd.
Col. Joseph D. McFall, the former 52nd vice wing commander from July 2012 to June 2013, took the reins at an assumption of command ceremony.
Spangdahlem’s previous wing commander, Col. Peter Bilodeau, was relieved of duties in late December, less than six months into the job. Air Force officials in Europe said Bilodeau was removed because of loss of faith and confidence in his leadership, not for any misconduct or wrongdoing.
But Bilodeau’s name wasn’t mentioned Thursday. Vladimir Putin’s was.
In speaking about the many important tasks facing the wing, the ceremony’s presiding officer, 3rd Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Darryl L. Roberson, alluded to the Russian president and the current political crisis in Ukraine.
“We have threats on the horizon,” Roberson said. “Mr. Putin has added some emphasis to what we do and why we do it, and so it’s really important that we continue to work together.”
McFall, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and an F-16 pilot with nearly 800 combat hours under his belt, last commanded the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein, about 80 miles southeast of Spangdahlem.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to serve with you again,” McFall said to Roberson, before adding — tongue in cheek to laughs from the audience: “It seems like only yesterday I was working for you in Ramstein.”
In an interview after the ceremony, McFall spoke about the challenges ahead. “There is a lot going on right now, with building partnership capacity to a renewed focus on having combat power in the theater to counter any threats that may pop up.”
Spangdahlem and the wing are slated to grow. The base is scheduled to receive special operations aircraft and personnel from RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom as part of European Infrastructure Consolidation changes announced last month. Though Air Force officials have said major moves are five to seven years down the road, McFall said construction projects to support the new mission are expected to start at Spangdahlem starting in the summer of 2016.
As to when the 606th Air Control Squadron would relocate — another move called for by the EIC — is still not certain, McFall said. “Probably within the next one to two years they’ll be heading down towards Aviano (Italy),” he said. “That will free up space for the guys coming in.”
Col. Joseph McFall, right, takes the 52nd Fighter Wing colors from 3rd Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson at McFall's assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. At center is Command Chief Master Sgt. Brian Gates (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The new commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing, Col. Joseph McFall, talks to the media after his assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. In the background is one of the wing's F-16 Fighting Falcon. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The 52nd Fighter Wing honor guard presents the colors at the beginning of the assumption of command ceremony for Col. Joseph McFall at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. McFall took command of the wing at the ceremony (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem airmen salute during the playing of the national anthem at the 52nd Fighter Wing assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. Col. Joseph McFall took command of the wing at the ceremony. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Third Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson speaks at the 52nd Fighter Wing's assumption of command ceremony for Col. Joseph McFall at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Airmen of the 52nd Fighter Wing stand in formation at the beginning of the assumption of command ceremony for Col. Joseph McFall at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The new commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing, Col. Joseph McFall talks to his airmen during the assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Staff Sgt. Juan Silver, left, and Senior Airman Kimberly Szydlowski salute after unveiling Col. Joseph McFall's name on a 52nd Fighter Wing F-16 during an assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. McFall took command of the wing at the ceremony. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Airmen of the 52nd Fighter Wing stand in formation at the assumption of command ceremony for Col. Joseph McFall at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
