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188th Operations Group tabs Eddins as new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Challenge and sacrifice were the themes of the day as Lt. Col. Timothy L. Eddins assumed command of the 188th Operations Group from Col. Jeffrey W. Hickman at the 188th Sept. 29.

Col. Thomas I. Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, who officiated during the ceremony, discussed the challenges the group has overcome during Col. Hickman's tenure as commander.

"Success doesn't happen without solid leadership, and consistent leadership," Col. Anderson said. "Col. Hickman set our aviators and support personnel on a positive course that lead to unprecedented success. The roadmap [he] left behind undoubtedly furnishes us with a strong blueprint for future successes as we embark on a new and exciting journey. [His] leadership and council will certainly be missed."

Col. Hickman credited the group's many successes to the hard work and cooperation of the Airmen under his command. As he reflected over his three years as group commander, Col. Hickman spoke of the challenges his group has overcome.

"It's no small task, and this organization rose to the occasion," he said. "That's the past but we cannot rest on our laurels."

In these times of financial constraints, there is enormous pressure to perform, Col. Hickman said.

"Lt .Col. Tim Eddins is the right man for the job," said Hickman. "Because I know that this organization will be led with honor and integrity."

After the guide-on was passed, Lt. Col. Eddins briefly addressed the Airmen under his new command.

"Something that's become very prevalent over the last four or five years, and that's called 'change,'" Col. Eddins said. "I've been in the unit for a long time, and I've seen a lot of change. People change, aircraft change, but the one constant has been performance. The job hasn't changed, the mission hasn't changed. All that's really changed are some names."

Col. Anderson said the the 188th is at the center of the fight against terrorism and said Lt. Col. Eddins is just the person to help usher the 188th into a new era where future deployments are not a possibility but are a certainty.

"Lt. Col. Tim Eddins, the leadership you have shown flying two different aircraft in three separate deployments, as Operations Support Flight commander and director of operations; and your vast knowledge gained as an instructor pilot shows you have the skills, work ethic and resolve necessary to lead our Operations Group and build upon the successes we've already achieved," Col. Anderson said.

188th Operations Group tabs Eddins as new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Hillier
  • 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  Challenge and sacrifice were the themes of the day as Lt. Col. Timothy L. Eddins assumed command of the 188th Operations Group from Col. Jeffrey W. Hickman at the 188th Sept. 29.

Col. Thomas I. Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, who officiated during the ceremony, discussed the challenges the group has overcome during Col. Hickman's tenure as commander.

"Success doesn't happen without solid leadership, and consistent leadership," Col. Anderson said. "Col. Hickman set our aviators and support personnel on a positive course that lead to unprecedented success. The roadmap [he] left behind undoubtedly furnishes us with a strong blueprint for future successes as we embark on a new and exciting journey. [His] leadership and council will certainly be missed."

Col. Hickman credited the group's many successes to the hard work and cooperation of the Airmen under his command. As he reflected over his three years as group commander, Col. Hickman spoke of the challenges his group has overcome.

"It's no small task, and this organization rose to the occasion," he said. "That's the past but we cannot rest on our laurels."

In these times of financial constraints, there is enormous pressure to perform, Col. Hickman said.

"Lt .Col. Tim Eddins is the right man for the job," said Hickman. "Because I know that this organization will be led with honor and integrity."

After the guide-on was passed, Lt. Col. Eddins briefly addressed the Airmen under his new command.

"Something that's become very prevalent over the last four or five years, and that's called 'change,'" Col. Eddins said. "I've been in the unit for a long time, and I've seen a lot of change. People change, aircraft change, but the one constant has been performance. The job hasn't changed, the mission hasn't changed. All that's really changed are some names."

Col. Anderson said the the 188th is at the center of the fight against terrorism and said Lt. Col. Eddins is just the person to help usher the 188th into a new era where future deployments are not a possibility but are a certainty.

"Lt. Col. Tim Eddins, the leadership you have shown flying two different aircraft in three separate deployments, as Operations Support Flight commander and director of operations; and your vast knowledge gained as an instructor pilot shows you have the skills, work ethic and resolve necessary to lead our Operations Group and build upon the successes we've already achieved," Col. Anderson said.