Eglin welcomes new test wing commander

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 96th Test Wing welcomed its new commander June 4 in a change of command ceremony here before its personnel, family and friends.

Maj. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the Air Force Test Center commander, passed the wing guidon to Col. Christopher Azzano as the wing's new leader. The wing bid farewell to just-promoted Maj. Gen. David Harris, who moves to Edwards AFB, Calif., to take command of the AFTC for the departing Bunch.

A 2005 Air Force legislative fellow and a command pilot with more than 2,700 flight hours, Azzano is no stranger to Air Force Materiel Command or the mission of test. He was the F-15 flight commander with the 40th Flight Test Squadron in 2002 and commanded both a test squadron and a group. Prior to arriving here, he served as the commander of the 72nd Air Base Wing at Tinker AFB, Okla.

During his remarks, Bunch reminisced about the combining of the two wings in 2012 and the apprehension that surrounded the new endeavor.  He said Harris was the right pick to shepherd the new wing through the prodigious transition and based on the results 'the wing is seamless' with everyone focused on the mission.

"The understanding of the mission is stronger than ever and the walls between test and the support side have been broken down," said Bunch, a former vice commander here from 2008-2010.  "We now have a team that truly pulls together to advance our mission."

After five years here, it was difficult for Harris to say goodbye. 

"I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished," he said.  "I can rest easy though; the wing is in good hands.  I will come to visit, not to check up on you, but to say hello and enjoy this place once more.  Thank you all for giving me this opportunity.  You leave a great legacy to pass on to a great leadership team."

After taking command, Azzano said it felt great to be back in the ranks of the 96th TW.

"I watched your success from afar these past few years and I know what a devoted and capable test and support team we have here," he said.  "We are going to continue to feed the fight with new weapons and capabilities while supporting our mission partners as they do the same.  We will also take care of all our service members and their families making Eglin a great place to live and work."