916th welcomes new leader
By John Joyce
Published in News on April 18, 2015 10:34 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Col. Craig Shenkenberg, right, accepts the 916th Air Refueling Wing guidon from Maj. Gen. John Flournoy Saturday at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Members of the 916th Air Refueling Wing were sad to see "Happy" go Saturday, but remain proud of the legacy he leaves behind.
Col. Gregory "Happy" Gilmour relinquished his role as the 916th commander to Vice Commander Col. Craig B. "Shenky" Shenkenberg in a ceremony attended by Air Force and Wayne County dignitaries this weekend.
"Happy" and "Shenky," are the call signs attributed to the respective aviators who have spent their careers flying, serving and commanding various squadrons and now wings throughout their service to their country.
Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy served as the presiding officer for the ceremony -- and lauded both men's stellar careers and brought laughter to the packed hangar before accepting the 916th guidon from Gilmour and passing it to Shenkenberg.
The flag changing hands symbolizes the change in command in a tradition traced back to ancient times.
Mayor Al King attended the ceremony along with City Manager Scott Stevens, City Councilman Chuck Allen and Wayne County Board of Commissioners Chairman Wayne Aycock.
Dozens of Air Force and Air Force Reserves officers from bases as far as Florida and California were also in attendance.
Gilmour, who transitioned to the Air Force in 1999 after a 13-year career as a U.S. Naval Reserve Officer and pilot, leaves behind an unblemished record as leader of one of the key units in one of the most crucial components of air power superiority around the globe -- aerial refueling.
Among his accomplishments listed by Flournoy were guiding the squadron through such difficult periods as the government shutdown of 2013, sequestration and civilian furloughs. Also mentioned were the numerous readiness inspections Gilmour led the 916th through.
It was for his leadership throughout these many accomplishments and the many more that include successful missions flown by the squadron both at home and abroad that Gilmour received the Legion of Merit -- a medal awarded to U.S. Armed Forces personnel who distinguished themselves by exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.
Shenkenberg, now the 916th commander, is not new to the unit, SJAFB or Wayne County.
He served under Gilmour as his vice commander and thanked the colonel for his guidance and his leadership.
He drew laughter from the crowd when he also thanked Gilmour for allowing him to beat him regularly at trivia.
There was no laughter, however, when the formation of enlisted men and women and officers witnessing the change of command snapped to attention and rendered its final and first salutes to Gilmour and Shenkenberg, respectively.
"Shenky" told the men and women under his command he expects to hear the truth from them should he ever stop them and ask their opinion on matters. He said he is not one who wants to be told what others might think he wants to hear.
And he vowed to help them maintain their reputation as members of one of the elite units in the Air Force Reserve.