VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Michael S. Hough assumed command of the 30th Space Wing in a change of command ceremony at the parade grounds, here, June 9.
During the ceremony, Hough assumed command from Col. J. Christopher Moss and the ceremony was presided over by Lt. Gen. David Buck, commander,14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and Joint Functional Component Command for Space.
“Today we make history,” said Buck. “Today we formally transfer wing command from Col. Chris Moss to Col. Mike Hough, two trusted and proven senior leaders. Wing command is the toughest, the most rewarding and the most coveted job in our Air Force. This is especially true at Vandenberg Air Force Base, not only are you responsible for a myriad of complex launch and range operations, but Vandenberg is the third largest installation in the entire Air Force. It’s not easy, but that is why we choose leaders like Col. Moss and Col. Hough.”
During Moss’ command, he conducted 16 successful launches, oversaw the first west coast booster fly-back, ensured on-time and on-budget transition of the western range, and coordinated the effort to fight the largest fire in base history, finally leading the wing to receive the General Robert T. Herres Award, recognizing the wing as the Best Wing with a space mission in the Air Force.
“To the men and women of the 30th Space Wing, what you have accomplished over the past two years is beyond words,” said Moss. “You have shown unequaled excellence in nationally critical missions. You have shown amazing bravery, perseverance and innovation in the face of historic wildfires and floods. You have shown tremendous empathy, generosity and caring for our Team V family and our local communities, and you have shown exemplary deployed service down-range. And you have done so much more. What you have done has been recognized with countless awards by some our most senior leaders, and deservedly so. Vandenberg is a very special place, and as I finish my time with you, it is very clear that no other military installation in the world has the quality of people that we do here at Vandenberg.”
At the end of the ceremony, the guidon was presented to Hough as he officially took command of the 30th Space Wing. Hough, who started his career at Vandenberg in 1993, expressed his joy for the years ahead.
“I am indeed privileged and words cannot express how excited I am to be here now,” said Hough. “This is an incredible place. The mission of launching rockets and putting satellites into orbit is certainly one of the most rewarding, tangible missions anywhere in the Air Force. But none of this is possible without the incredible hard work of the men and women of the 30th Space Wing. To simply maintain the security and infrastructure of a 100,000 acre base is a herculean effort. Throw in a flawless launch record, and a trial by fire, literally, makes me proud to be associated with you. And the icing on the cake, Moss told me that not only are we blessed with the best tenant units and mission partners that anyone could hope for, but the surrounding communities are welcoming and open-hearted. I look forward to working with you and getting to know you in the coming months. I am proud to be a member of Team V and the 30th Space Wing.”