Cannon changes command

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE - There was plenty of pomp and precision Wednesday morning at Cannon Air Force Base, with dozens of airmen in formation practicing every step and rotation hours in advance of the change of command ceremony that accompanies every odd-numbered summer.

But the unmistakable elements that filled the hangar on the base's south side were pride and camaraderie as Lt. Gen. James Slife didn't say much about departing Col. Stewart Hammons or incoming 27th Special Operations Wing Commander Col. Robert Masaitis. Instead, he talked about Stu and Rob.

"You are losing a great first family for Cannon Air Force Base," said Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, "and you are gaining a great first family for Cannon Air Force Base."

The paths of Slife, Hammons and Masaitis have crossed many times - no surprise when they're in the same branch of military, but almost a no-brainer inside that small window of the Air Force known as AFSOC.

Slife, the first AFSOC commander who was himself an alum of Cannon, spoke of a great personal connection to both Hammons and Masaitis. The former is a selection for brigadier general and moving on to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The latter is returning to Cannon for his second stop, following his time from 2010 to 2012 as operations officer for the 73rd Special Operations Squadron.

"To say it is an honor to stand here in front of you this morning is a serious understatement," Masaitis said. "As a person who generally prides himself in being able to find the right words for an occasion, I'll be honest that the best that I can come up with this morning is deeply humbled."

Masaitis thanked his wife for taking on another volunteer position, his kids for going through every military move and still managing to be great kids who are, "smart, funny, charming ... at times," and his father for both the example he set and the hard push into military service.

Hammons gave plenty of thanks as well, noting he couldn't have picked better right-hand people, or inherited better advocates for Cannon outside of its borders.

"I've said this before and I'll say it again, your support of Cannon Air Force Base is inspiring," Hammons said to the community advocates in attendance. "It is the best support I've seen in 25 years of military service."

Slife, Masaitis and Hammons all spoke of the ceremony not being about any of them but the men and women who Hammons said "internalized the mission" and gave him every chance to succeed.

"Whether you turn a wrench," Hammons said, "fly a plane, fix someone's pay issue, defend this installation or provide quality medical care ... you have exceeded my expectations every day I've been in command."

Masaitis said he was in awe of how far every unit and the base have come, noting an entire side of the base only existed on paper during his previous tour.

"While there was always a sense of pride, it was in pockets and unit-centric," Masaitis said. "I will tell you when I come back here now, it seems to be installation-wide and it's across the wing and it is palpable. I just want you to know as an outsider coming back in, I am excited to be a part of it."