Community meets new 4th Wing commander at reception
By Sam Atkins
Published in News on August 18, 2004 2:04 PM
The new commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and his family received a warm welcome Tuesday from community officials.
"We are extremely excited to have them here," said Jimmie Edmundson, chairman of the Military Affairs Committee.
Col. James M. Holmes arrived at Seymour Johnson about 30 days ago. This is his first assignment flying an F-15E Strike Eagle and has been going through flight training since he arrived.
He is a command pilot with over 3,000 flying hours in an F-15 other than the Strike Eagle. He comes to the base from commanding the 14th Operations Group at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.
Members of the Military Affairs Committee and Wayne County Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Goldsboro Country Club for a reception to welcome Holmes and his family to the area.
Holmes began by thanking the community for all it does for the airmen at Seymour Johnson and said he received several calls prior to coming to the base about how supportive the community is.
"We are thrilled to be here," he said.
He also introduced several of the new group commanders on base.
Holmes said the wing set a standard during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom for its combat air power, and one of his goals will be to continue that high standard.
He said the world is still changing and the airmen are still engaged in combat in Iraq and stationed all over the world.
"Thank you for this welcome, thank you for all you do for our airmen," he said.