Col. Wills takes command of the 39th ABW

Col. Craig Wills, 39th Air Base Wing commander, speaks to Airmen during the wing’s change of command ceremony July 9, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The ceremony is a tradition in which authority and responsibility for a unit is transferred from one officer to another. Prior to coming to Incirlik AB, Wills served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, United States Forces Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dallas Edwards/Released)

39th ABW changes command

Col. Craig Wills, 39th Air Base Wing commander, speaks to Airmen during the wing’s change of command ceremony July 9, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Members of the 39th ABW bid farewell to Col. Chris Craige and welcomed Wills as their new wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarvie Wallace/Released)

39th ABW changes command

Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, passes the 39th Air Base Wing guidon to Col. Craig Wills, during a change of command ceremony July 9, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The passing of the guidon symbolizes Wills’ assumption of command from the outgoing 39th ABW commander, Col. Chris Craige. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarvie Wallace/Released)

39th ABW changes command

Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, accepts the 39th Air Base Wing guidon from Col. Chris Craige, outgoing 39th ABW commander, as he relinquishes command during a change of command ceremony July 9, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Members of the 39th ABW bid farewell to Craige and welcomed Col. Craig Wills as their new wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarvie Wallace/Released)

39th ABW changes command

39th Air Base Wing Airmen render a salute to Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony July 9, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. During the ceremony, command of the 39th Air Base Wing was relinquished by Col. Chris Craige and passed to Col. Craig Wills, who will serve as wing commander for the next two years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jarvie Wallace/Released)

Col. Wills takes command of the 39th ABW

Airmen from the 39th Air Base Wing line up to render a final salute to outgoing commander, Col. Chris Craige, before the wing’s change of command ceremony July 9, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Craige passed command of the 39th ABW to Col. Craig Wills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dallas Edwards/Released)

39th Air Base Wing changes command

Published July 9, 2013
By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Command of the 39th Air Base Wing changed over in a ceremony here today as Col. Chris Craige, outgoing 39th ABW commander, passed the guidon over to Col. Craig Wills, the new 39th ABW commander.

"We are sad to say good bye to Col. Craige as he departs from here, but excited to welcome Col. Wills," said presiding officer Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander. "Incirlik is a special base in our Air Force."

There is a long and proud history at Incirlik, Franklin continued, and Craige has done a phenomenal job with the Wing from supporting the NATO Patriot defense mission to passing inspections with flying colors.

"Col. Craige has ensured the Wing has remained safe during challenging times and has brought a family focus that is integral to this base," Franklin added.

Craige expressed his gratitude and his appreciation for his time spent at Incirlik.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to be commander here," Craige said. "I will forever remember Turkey as a great country full of great hospitality."

"I've been impressed by the success of the Airmen at Incirlik and it is entirely due to their accomplishments," Craige continued. "The sense of community here has got us through the challenges."

The Craige family and the impact they've had, not only on Incirlik AB but on the Air Force as a whole, is proven by their United States Air Force Europe nomination for the Gen. and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. The award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the nation, the Air Force, and the local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in a key Air Force position.

Franklin has confidence the new commander will find similar success.

"With the departure of Col. Craige, I can't think of a better replacement for him than Col. Wills," Franklin said.

Wills arrived to Incirlik after being the deputy assistant chief of staff, operations at United States Forces Korea.

"Wills was rated number one out of 14 colonels at USFK," Franklin said. "He is a people-focused leader and he is taking charge of a unique wing at a unique time in a unique location."

While in Korea working with the Army, Wills was constantly told what a great base he was coming to, the new 39th ABW commander said.

"I couldn't be more proud to serve or more honored to be here," Wills said. "I look forward to standing on the line and taking my turn at watch."