23rd Air Force welcomes new commander

Published April 9, 2009
By Deborah Dunn
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Col. Marshall B. Webb assumed command of the Air Force Special Operations Command's 23rd Air Force, and honored outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Richard S. Haddad at a ceremony in the Commando Auditorium recently.

Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, commander of AFSOC, presided over the ceremony. He noted, "General 'Beef' Haddad has spent a career preparing for his next job as commander of Special Operations Command Korea. He made a significant impact here at AFSOC and will be an outstanding SOCKOR commander. There are very few Reserve officers that are offered that opportunity in such a critical place and time."

General Haddad then reflected on his leading 23rd Air Force. "It is always the intent of a commander to leave the organization in better shape than when he or she arrived. In this case, based on my short tenure, I have gained the most in this deal. The organization has made me a better commander and provided me the tools to succeed as I move on," said General Haddad.

During the ceremony, General Haddad received the Legion of Merit, for his leadership within Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters since January 2007.

Under his new command, Colonel Webb wants to carry out specific priorities. He said, "The 23rd Air Force has to mirror AFSOC commander's intent. Those priorities are 1) employing our specialized airpower...in our nation's current fight and being prepared to employ it at a moment's notice anywhere around the world. 2) Modernizing, recapitalizing and balancing our force for the future...ensuring we stay in front of the ever-changing battlefield. 3) Developing and caring for our Air Commandos and their families... because, in the end, we know it's our people that get the mission done - successfully, every-time."

Colonel Webb has flown over 3,700 flying hours, including combat time, supporting operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia. His past assignments include commanding the 20th Special Operations Squadron, the 352nd Special Operations Group, where he planned and executed SOF contingency operations within the European Command; and most recently, the 1st Special Operations Wing. Col Webb has served as the Special Assistant to the Commander for AFSOC since November 2008.

As the dual-hatted AFSOC Director of Operations, he will implement and direct operational command policy for AFSOC's worldwide special operations units including 16,000 personnel, 137 aircraft and $4 billion of assets.

"I see it as my job and really all the leaders under my command, that we remove the rocks, branches, and obstacles out of the path of this machine moving on down the road, so that our people can get the job done," said Colonel Webb.