Email   Print   Share By Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Staff

Facebook Digg Delicious July 12, 2012 | News

Col. Thomas Bell (middle right), the incoming commander of 3rd ASOG, receives the unit colors from Col. Scott Kindsvater, 93rd AGOW commander, during a change of command ceremony Friday inside the 1st ACB hangar. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Staff

Col. Scott Kindsvater, 93rd AGOW commander, pins Col. David Wright, outgoing commander of the 3rd ASOG, with the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious conduct as commander of the unit from July 23, 2010, through Friday. Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Staff

The Air Force’s 3rd Air Support Operations Group, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony Friday inside the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade hangar.

Col. David Wright handed the reins of the group to the incoming commander, Col. Thomas Bell.

Before formally passing on the unit’s colors to Bell, Wright received the Legion of Merit for his time in command of the unit, which began July 23, 2010.

“It’s truly been an honor to serve as the 3rd ASOG commander and III Corps,” Wright said. “To Gen. Campbell, Command

Sgt. Maj. Coleman and the warriors of III Corps, your dedication to the joint fight in your support of 3rd ASOG has been unrivaled.

“To the Airmen and Families of the 3rd ASOG, I express my sincerest gratitude for the mission you undertake, the sacrifices you shoulder and your unflinching professionalism,” he said. “You have tackled the preponderance of the air support and battlefield weather operational load for the last two years in Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Enduring Freedom and Spartan Shield.”

Col. Scott Kindsvater, the commander of 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing, said Wright has been crucial to the success of the Army and the Air Force.

“He instilled what I called that air-mindedness into every operation, into our young Airmen, into our young leaders, and that’s a legacy that will continue for decades,” Kindsvater said. “He’s responsible for making the unit more lethal and more dominant and more ready. His group was deployed more than any other organization in our U.S. Air Force – a true testament to his leadership ability.”

Wright’s successor, Bell, comes to Fort Hood after previous assignments as the chief of bomber operations at Global Strike Command and commander of the 17th Air Support Operations Squadron, supporting the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.

In his address at the change of command ceremony, Bell thanked his Family in attendance for the support they had provided him throughout his 22 years of service.

“He takes command with an outstanding record of performance serving our great country,” Kindsvater said. “He has served our country in combat, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross with valor.

“Welcome to the 93rd Wing,” Kindsvater said. “I know you’ll take the 3rd ASOG to new heights.”