• Col. Chris Bargery is the new commander of the 65th Air Base Wing • Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, was the presiding officer • Col. Bargery takes over for Col. Jose Rivera • The ceremony was attended by distinguished U.S. and Portuguese military officials and Azorean leaders
Photos
Col. David Parr, 65th Air Base Wing, vice commander, along with members of the 65th ABW stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at Lajes Air Field, Azores, Jul. 6, 2012. Col. Chris Bargery took command of the 65th ABW from Col. Jose Rivera. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Lt. Gen. Craig A. Franklin addresses the crowd during the 65th Air Base Wing change of command cereomy, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 6, 2012. Col. Chris Bargery assumed command of the 65th Air Base Wing from Col. Jose Rivera. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin hands Col. Chris Bargery the wing guidon during the 65th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 9, 2012. Bargery assumed command of the 65th ABW from Col. Jose Rivera. (Photo by Guido Melo)
Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin hands Col. Chris Bargery the wing guidon during the 65th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 9, 2012. Bargery assumed command of the 65th Air Base Wing from Col. Jose Rivera. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Col. Chris Bargery assumed the role of commander of the 65th Air Base Wing in a change of command ceremony, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 9, 2012. Lt. Gen. Craig A. Frankilin, 3rd Air Force, commander presided over the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Col. Chris Bargery, 65th Air Base Wing's new commander renders a salute to the wing during the 65th ABW change of command ceremony, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 6, 2012. Bargery took command of the 65th ABW from Col. Jose Rivera. (Photo by Guido Melo)
Col. Chris Bargery addresses the crowd during the 65th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 6, 2012. Bargery took command of the 65th Air Base Wing from Col. Jose Rivera. (Photo by Guido Melo)
Mrs. Melinda Bargery (far right), along with daughters Haley and Mary Margaret, received flowers during the 65th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony, Lajes Field, Azores, Jul. 6, 2012. Col. Chris Bargery took command of the 65th Air Base Wing from Col. Jose Rivera. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
by 1st Lt. Mark Graff
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
7/6/2012 - LAJES FIELD, AZORES, Portugal -- Col. Chris Bargery took command of the 65th Air Base Wing in a change of command ceremony at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal July 6.
Bargery arrives here from Ramstein Air Base, Germany where he served as the Chief of Security Forces, Directorate of Logistics, Installations and Support, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe.
The men and women of the 65th ABW must remain focused on mission accomplishment and fighting today's fight, said Bargery.
"The Airmen that make up this dynamic wing, the United States and our allies, are still engaged in persistent conflict around the world and we will not forget that," said Bargery. "The reputation for excellence in this wing is not confined to this island."
Bargery takes command of the 65th ABW that partners with the Portuguese Air Force to operate Lajes Field, more formally known as Portuguese Air Base 4. Maintaining strong relations with the Portuguese is of the utmost importance, said Bargery.
"Everything we do here as a command team, with our partners, with the local officials here in Terceira and Praia, all of this makes us stronger together. Let there be no doubt about that," said Bargery.
Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. He highlighted Lajes Field's proud history with the Portuguese and a bright future for Lajes.
"Lajes has a long history of supporting U.S. operations and we look forward to continuing that history," said Franklin. "I know that under Col. Bargery's command, the 65th Air Base Wing will be ready to meet tomorrow's challenges."
Col. Jose Rivera, the outgoing wing commander, relinquished command before departing to become the Deputy Director of Cyber Security at the Pentagon. Rivera has commanded the wing since July 2010.
Rivera thanked the men and women of the 65th ABW for their hard work and dedication to service.
"You have shown me what it means to take mission and take people and make both of those things work. We take care of the mission and we take care of our people and you've done that better than any organization in the United States Air Force," said Rivera.
The change of command ceremony was attended by distinguished U.S. and Portuguese military leaders and Azorean civic leaders.
