Comments (0) | |

Sunday, Jul. 25, 2010

New leader takes over Georgia Air National Guard

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE — Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Moore became the commander of the Georgia Air National Guard during a Saturday morning ceremony at the Museum of Aviation. Moore succeeds Maj. Gen. Scott A. Hammond, who formally retired during a ceremony shortly after relinquishing command.

Moore is the former commander of the 116th Air Control Wing and will likely soon be promoted to major general.

Hammond had been the top Georgia Air National Guard officer for the past six years, an extraordinarily long tour for an officer in one position. The 35-year Air Force veteran oversaw a steady rotation of deployments of his airmen during his time atop the Georgia Air National Guard, particularly with the 116th and its Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft.

“I’m so grateful and proud that we have everyone back from the warfight without losses,” Hammond said.

Hammond also oversaw the integration of active duty airmen and Air National Guard airmen under the 116th Air Control Wing — a “blended unit” — a move that is likely to be undone later this year due to administrative difficulties.

“Looking back at the past six years, we’ve gone through perhaps the most challenging time in the 60-year history of the Georgia Air National Guard,” said Army Maj. Gen. William T. Nesbitt, the commanding general of the Georgia National Guard.

Hammond has worked full-time in the Georgia National Guard for the past two years, he said in his remarks before turning over command. In the civilian world, Hammond is a pilot for Northwest Airlines.

Moore, known as “Moose” by his associates, takes command of the 3,500 Georgia guardsmen at time with new difficulties and deployments continuing apace.

“There’s likely to be some challenges because of budget constructs,” Moore said during his brief remarks.

Moore relinquished command of the 116th on July 8 after three years with the unit; many 116th airmen attended Saturday’s ceremony. “I look forward to continuing to work with the 116th,” he said.