1 SOW welcomes new commander Published Nov. 21, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Col. Greg Lengyel assumed command of the 1st Special Operations Wing during a ceremony today at Freedom Hangar. Colonel Lengyel succeeds Col. Brad Webb, who will be moving to just next door to be the Special Assistant to the Commander, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command. "Enjoy every great moment of your opportunity here," Colonel Webb said addressing his successor. "These people you are looking at right now are the reason we are successful. These Airmen, through their service, are owed a debt that will never be repaid. It has been an absolute honor to serve you all." Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, AFSOC commander, presided over the ceremony. "The history of the wing here is legendary," General Wurster said. "Treasure its share of the history of our nation. This wing continues to represent Air Commandos throughout the [Department of Defense]. Each individual is part of the overall success of the team here. Today we change command. The change occurs while people from this base are actively in the fight." "Under [Colonel Webb's] leadership, 1 SOW has been successful," General Wurster said. "We look forward to (Colonel Webb's) arrival at AFSOC." General Wurster then shared some words with the newest leader in his command. "You have my complete trust and commitment," he said. "Be ready. They are good people. They are committed, and they are the best in the world at what they do. You are prepared for this job. Support our teammates in battle. You must remember the mission and to prepare safely." Before rendering his final salute as the 1 SOW commander to the men and women of Hurlburt Field, Colonel Webb addressed them with these remarks. "I salute those commanders, chiefs and frontline supervisors for being top notch," Colonel Webb said. "Your support for the wing in providing Airmen supervision is what made this wing superior. "To all the Airmen of this wing, you never get the recognition that you deserve. This is the fifth largest wing in the Air Force.There is a lot you don't hear about that makes this wing the most relevant wing in the entire Air Force." Colonel Lengyel assumed command of the wing from General Wurster by accepting the wing guidon and spoke to Team Hurlburt as their commander for the first time. "You have been on the forefront of the war on terrorism," the new commander said. "Our mission here is to provide precise and reliable air power." "No one else in the Air Force is asked to work so hard," Colonel Lengyel said. "I pledge my full effort in providing whatever is needed to perform the mission." Colonel Lengyel is no stranger to the special operations world. He served as the commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Iraq from July 2007 - July 2008. His credentials include the CV-22 Senior Officer Qualification Course, Kirtland AFB, N.M., and Special Assistant to the A3, HQ AFSOC before arriving at Hurlburt Field as the new wing commander. Colonel Lengyel graduated from Texas A&M University in 1985 where he earned his commission as a distinguished graduate in the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He entered the Air Force as a satellite officer in U.S. Space Command and went on to attend undergraduate pilot training at Fort Rucker, Ala. Since then, he has flown 3,800 hours in the UH-1H/N, TH-53A and MH-53J/M and has participated in contingency operations in Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He also graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps' Weapons and Tactics Instructor course and the U.S. Air Force's Combat Aircrew Training School. Colonel Lengyel completed joint staff tours at U.S. Special Operations Command and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.