Former 31st OG commander takes command of 435th ABW

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amanda Dick
  • Ramstein Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members of the 435th Air Base Wing came together in Hangar 1 on Ramstein Air Base June 11 to welcome their new commander.

Col. Thomas Gould took command of the 435th ABW from Col. Don Bacon at a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, 3rd Air Force vice commander.

"We at the 3rd Air Force are truly excited to have Col. Tom Gould on station today to assume command here. We have indeed gained a leader again who has extraordinary capabilities and abilities," said General Zamzow, who serves the command from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. "The 435th is gaining an outstanding, people-oriented commander. I have no doubt the wing's strong traditions of excellence, partnerships and mission accomplishments will continue to the highest degrees."

In his change of command speech, Colonel Gould explained how he was thankful for the opportunity to carry out the mission of the 435th ABW, 3rd AF and U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

The new 435th ABW commander said since his first assignment at Ramstein more than 20 years ago, the 435th still has "the finest Airmen in the world and continues to provide support and combat air power all over the world."

"As men and women of the 435th, we should never doubt what we can do in support of our mission and our nation's goals and, in the process, what we can do to change the world," the colonel added.

Colonel Gould was the 31st Operations Group commander at Aviano Air Base, Italy, before taking command here. Prior to that, he attended Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Colonel Bacon will become the deputy commander for 3rd Air Force, also headquartered at Ramstein.