Brig. Gen. VanHerck takes command of 509th BW

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joel Pfiester
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Brig. Gen. Glen D. VanHerck took the reins as 509th Bomb Wing commander during a ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, Feb. 21, 2014.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Bussiere relinquished the guidon, and command, to Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, Eighth Air Force commander, who in turn presented it to VanHerck.

"Today we bid a fond farewell to General Bussiere but we welcome, not for the first time, General VanHerck to this family," Vander Hamm said. "General Bussiere passes the stick to another winner, a superior officer who will continue a long, long line of proud leadership of the 509th Bomb Wing."

VanHerck comes to Whiteman after serving as commander of the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, succeeded Bussiere, who had been 509th Bomb Wing commander since June 2012.

This is the third time VanHerck, a Missouri native and University of Missouri graduate, has been stationed at Whiteman.

"It's a special day for us as a family, and I'm honored to have all of you here to witness this historic event for the wing itself," VanHerck said. "I can't tell you how much of an honor and a privilege it is to be standing here, in my home state of Missouri commanding this wing."

"Glen and I met in 1998 when he arrived and I was getting ready to depart in 1999," Vander Hamm said. "I knew then, years after meeting Tom, that here's another person to watch. He has the charisma and leadership qualities that people just want to follow."

Vander Hamm continued to express his confidence in the new commander.

"Command as you know is a high honor and a privilege. It's a select challenge one few ever have the opportunity to experience. It's a responsibility you cannot delegate," Vander Hamm said. "I have the utmost trust and confidence in you. You are the right person to develop our Airmen to be leaders that we will turn to in the future and I know you are up to the task."

Vander Hamm instructed the men and women of the 509th Bomb Wing to give their best efforts and support to the new commander.

"To the men and women of the 509th Bomb Wing, and our mission partners, you also receive a charge today, and that is to give your loyalty and your all to Brig. Gen. VanHerck and the mission of the 509th Bomb Wing just as you did to Brig. Gen. Bussiere," Vander Hamm said. "We are America's strategic global response force, ready to fight and ready to strike."

VanHerck's message to the wing was to focus on the challenges ahead, and be ready for anything.

"There are many challenges that lie ahead including the fiscal challenges that we're all aware of. We're going to reshape the force over the coming years, but there are more challenges that we don't know and are unaware of," VanHerck said. "We all need to be thinking about those. Those will be the ones that will surprise us, so we need to be ready as we go forward."

VanHerck expressed his determination to continue the tradition of outstanding performance at Whiteman.

"I look forward to working with each of you and the total force team here at Whiteman Air Force Base," VanHerck said. "Thank you again for being here and for your support. God bless all of you and God bless America."