Fairchild changes command

Col. Scott M. Hanson mouthed the words “thank you” to his vice commander after giving his final salute on Tuesday as commander of Fairchild Air Force Base’s 92nd Air Refueling Wing.
The ceremony marked Hanson’s official hand-off of the base’s control to Col. Thomas J. Sharpy, who comes from Travis Air Force Base in California.
Hundreds of military personnel, civilians and city officials from Spokane, Spokane Valley and Airway Heights attended the change-of-command ceremony held in one of the base’s aircraft hangars.
Hanson left his mark in his 22 months as commander.
“He emphasized how important our mission is. Even though we are smaller than some other bases, our mission is just as great or greater,” said Financial Services Officer Matt Beck of the 92nd Comptrollers Squadron, a division on Fairchild’s base, adding that at any given time the base has 300 members deployed.
“He instilled pride,” Beck said.
One of Hanson’s goals – and some say his best accomplishment – was establishing good relationships with the communities surrounding the base.
“Community relations has been a big priority,” said 2nd Lt. Tristan T. Hinderliter, deputy chief of public affairs. Last weekend’s Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade was one example, Hinderliter said. Five members of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing served as the parade’s grand marshals, and a KC-135 – Fairchild’s primary aircraft – did a fly-over to launch the parade.
“Wow. What Col. Hanson, his wife, Rhonda, and daughters Nicole and Kelsey have done in the last two years has been amazing,” said Maj. Gen. James A. Hawkins, who presided over the ceremony. He is the 18th Air Force commander, who oversees air mobility operations, including Fairchild.
During Tuesday’s event, Hanson was awarded the Legion of Merit for his work as commander with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, which said in part: “Col. Hanson inspired warrior-airmen who performed exceedingly well; flew an astounding 38,000 hours, off-loaded over 285 million pounds of fuel, deployed 2,043 airmen to 51 countries around the globe in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.”
“I’ve been honored,” said Hanson, who will next go to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, where he’ll serve as the deputy director of the Air Force’s Operations and Plans Directorate, part of the U.S. Transportation Command.
Sharpy, the new Fairchild commander, first earned his commission as a second lieutenant in 1984. He’s a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and has a Master of Business Administration degree.
He spent his military career at Air Force bases in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Kentucky, and served as a senior military aide to the vice president of the United States.
But recently Sharpy, his wife, Lori, and their sons, Dylan and Matthew, packed up their dog, two cats and parakeet and headed for Spokane.
Sharpy said he was humbled to be standing before the members of the base. “There’s no place I’d rather be standing than on this stage,” he said. “Well, maybe flying, but there will be time for that later.”
He added: “The best part of getting me is you get her,” Sharpy said, gesturing to his wife.
The new Fairchild Air Force Base commander grew up in Michigan on a farm where he was one of 11 children.
“Sharpy’s dad taught him service and to lead by example,” Hawkins said. “His mom taught him patience.”
Said Sharpy of his family, “I was blessed to have parents who taught me the foundation to be successful. I hope I can lead in the manner they taught me to live.”
During Sharpy’s speech he listed his command priorities as people, mission, family and community.
“The mission is the global war on terror,” Sharpy said. “I pledge to our warriors to take care of their families while they are gone.”