New MSG commander takes over

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Col. Andrew Pears assumed command of the 39th Mission Support Group from Col. Jeffery Hanson July 17 during a ceremony held in Hangar 4. 

During his previous assignment, Colonel Pears served as the Director of Education Logistics and Communications and Chief Information Officer at Air University Headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 

Col. Phil McDaniel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, presided over the event and welcomed Colonel Pears and his family while acknowledging the efforts of Colonel Hanson. 

"We're very excited to welcome Andrew and Mary and their family into our community," said Colonel McDaniel. "I have no doubt he will do great things for Incirlik. Having said that, I'm sorry to see Jeff leave us, but I know he'll continue to excel at the Pentagon. It goes without saying that we wish Jeff, Barbara and their family the best." 

During his farewell speech, Colonel Hanson thanked all of Team Incirlik for their support during his two year tour of duty. 

"Working together, we have overcome every challenge and met every tasking with class and professionalism," Colonel Hanson said to the members of the 39 MSG. "You have never disappointed me and always exceeded my expectations. Each one of you has made a difference and your future will continue to shine brightly." 

After exchanging the 39 MSG guideon, Colonel Pears addressed his group and offered a promise. 

"I promise that every morning I will get up and ask myself, 'Am I worthy to lead you?' and I will do what I can to make myself better," he said. "Everyday - regardless of your position - ask yourself 'what can I do to better myself and increase my capability in the position I am in?" 

Colonel Pears further encouraged the crowd to make a positive difference. 

"Every night I am going to look in the mirror and ask, 'have I done something today to make a positive improvement in the United States Air Force, the 39 Air Base Wing or some person's life?' he said. "I ask all of you to strive for the same thing." 

Incirlik is Colonel Pear's twelfth assignment during his 23-year career. 

A native of Meadville, Penn., Colonel Pears entered the Air Force through Officer Training School in 1985, after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. 

Among his assignments Colonel Pears served as: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Plans and Integration officer, Director's Action Group, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; 331st Recruiting Squadron commander, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.; and Intelligence Functional Area Subsystems Program manager, United States Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Brussels, Belgium.