Assumption of Command

Col. Scott L. Kelly addresses members of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, for the first time after assuming command of the wing during the wing assumption of command ceremony at Warfield Air National Guard Base, on August 1, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Chris Schepers/Released, 175th Wing/Public Affairs, WARFIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maryland)

Assumption of Command

Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, and Col. Scott L. Kelly, commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, salute the flag during the playing of the national anthem during the wing assumption of command ceremony held at the Warfield Air National Guard Base on August 1, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Chris Schepers/Released, 175th Wing/Public Affairs, WARFIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maryland)

Assumption of Command

Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, passes the 175th Wing Headquarters guidon to Col. Scott L. Kelly, commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, during the wing assumption of command ceremony held at the Warfield Air National Guard Base on August 1, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Chris Schepers/Released, 175th Wing/Public Affairs, WARFIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maryland)

175th Wing Welcomes New Commander

Published Aug. 4, 2009
By Master Sgt. Lou Deveaux
175th Wing Public Affairs

BALTIMORE -- During a ceremony deeply rooted in military history, men and women of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, witnessed the assumption of command by Col. Scott L. Kelly at a ceremony held at Warfield Air National Guard Base on Aug. 1.

Although Colonel Kelly has been serving as the wing commander since June 22, this ceremony marked the formal recognition of the changeover and was his first opportunity to address the assembled unit.

Following an introduction of distinguished members and guests, Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, adjutant general, Maryland National Guard, spoke of the challenges facing Colonel Kelly.

"You will bear the responsibility for ensuring the success of the organization while taking care of the men and women under your command." said General Adkins. The general challenged Colonel Kelly to "develop the junior leaders in this command for their senior assignments in the years to come."

Brig. Gen. Guy M. Walsh, the outgoing wing commander, is deployed to Afghanistan where he recently assumed command of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. General Walsh is the first National Guard officer to command an active duty wing in combat.

With the men and women of the wing at attention, General Adkins presented the wing headquarters guidon to Colonel Kelly who proudly responded, "Sir, I assume command."

Colonel Kelly expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the men and women of the 175th, adding, "I'm extremely excited and ready to get to work."

Prior to assuming command, Colonel Kelly was the vice commander of the 175th Wing.

His previous assignments include: 104th fighter squadron commander, 175th Operations Group commander and 175th Mission Support Group commander.

Colonel Kelly is a command pilot with over 3,700 military flying hours. He has flown the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and the A-10. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.