Forty days into his command of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, Lt. Col. Bryan Cannady received word that Staff Sgt. Shaun Meadows had been severely wounded during a combat reconnaissance patrol in Afghanistan.

That was in July 2008, and since then both airmen have brought a large measure of distinction to the squadron.

"This is a stellar unit," commented Col. Robert Armfield, 720th Special Tactics Group commander, during a change of command ceremony Wednesday morning at McChord Field in which Cannady relinquished command of the 22nd to Lt. Col. Michael Flatten.

"This unit has never been better."

A part of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the rapidly deployable 22nd Special Tactics Squadron (STS) provides terminal control, recovery and reconnaissance in hostile, austere and non-permissive environment.

The squadron is responsible for training, equipping and employing combat control, tactical air control party and support personnel to execute special tactics operations worldwide.

The 22nd STS conducts joint missions with United States Air Force conventional airlift and special operations aircraft, Army Special Forces and Rangers, Navy SEALS and Coalition Forces special forces.

"We are here not to look good but to be good," added Armfield.

Meadows personifies those words.

While on a reconnaissance patrol in Afghanistan, Meadows stepped on a pressure plate detonated improvised explosive device, or IED.

The resulting explosion took both of his legs.

But his spirit remained intact.

"I looked forward to getting back up on my feet," said Meadows as he stood on his prosthetic legs and took reporters' questions.

To that end, the self-described adrenalin junkie worked himself back into shape and asked to be allowed to make one last personnel jump before being medically retired.

Request granted.

During a practice jump this past Monday, Meadows became the first active duty double amputee in Air Force history to successfully perform a personnel drop as part of a 40 member C-17 jump at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), McChord Field.

Due to poor weather, he was unable to make a final, scheduled jump prior to Wednesday's change of command ceremony.

But Meadow's place in Air Force and 22nd STS history is assured.

"I don't think too much about the fact I've made a bit of history," said Meadows as he stood with his wife, Nicole, and son, Trevor.

In a nod to his brethren in the Army, he added, "Guys in the Army do this too."