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62 AW welcomes new commander

Col. Scovill Currin arrives from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina

Lt. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, 18th Air Force commander, left, passes the 62nd Airlift Wing guidon to Col. Scovill Currin, 62nd Airlift Wing incoming commander. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force, credit: A1C Sara Hoerichs

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Col. Scovill Currin assumed command of the 62nd Airlift Wing from the outgoing commander, Col. Rebecca Sonkiss, during a ceremony May 24 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

"I can vouch for the character, temperament and kind of person that you're getting," said Lt. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, 18th Air Force commander, who presided over the change of command ceremony.

A command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, Currin previously served as the commander for the 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

"Today, (Sonkiss) relinquishes command to Colonel Currin who is now charged with taking care of America's sons and daughters," said Tuck. "That one significant moment of the passing of the guidon makes us reflect on the huge responsibility and the important work that comes with it and the burden of leadership that he will take on today."

Currin thanked Sonkiss for her leadership during her time at JBLM.

"Thank you for leaving me a great team," said Currin. "You've devoted a year of your life and much more to taking care of these airmen, championing these airmen, mentoring them and making sure their mission came first."

Both Sonkiss and Tuck spoke about Currin's education and experience.

"You are coming to us with a mix of scholarly experience and proven combat edge," said Sonkiss.

Currin has a doctorate in Philosophy of History and has commanded in both deployed and stateside environments.

"I promise you the caliber of people that you have had and that you are getting is absolutely remarkable," said Tuck.

Currin spoke to the airmen now under his command during his speech.

"Throughout this wing's long and storied history from the Doolittle Raid to Berlin to Korea to Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, we have proven to friend and foe on all seven continents that when it comes to combat airlift, no one comes close to matching you," said Currin.

Currin said he is excited to begin working at the wing.

"It is an honor and a privilege that you can't imagine to join you and to serve alongside you," said Currin.

As the 62nd AW commander, Currin will ensure the readiness of more than 2,400 active-duty military and civilian personnel along with 48 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. He is also the U.S. Air Force Senior Service Component Commander at JBLM and will represent approximately 7,000 Total Force airmen to the Joint Base Partnership Council.

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