New commander leads Travis

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Col. Steven Arquiette accepted command of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Col. Lyn Sherlock in a change-of-command ceremony Monday on the flightline here. 

Maj. Gen. James A. Hawkins, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony which included a formation of the 60th AMW and a pass and review. 

Distinguished guests from the local community included representatives of California senators and congressmen as well as local mayors and past 60th AMW commanders. 

After thanking the guests, General Hawkins proceeded to run down a long list of mission accomplishments and awards the 60th AMW has achieved during Colonel Sherlock’s command, including 21 at the Air Force level and 148 at the Air Mobility Command level, not to mention an outstanding unit award. 

“It is a testament to the way you all do business here every day in such a professional manner,” General Hawkins said. “What a fantastic 25 months you’ve had under Colonel Sherlock’s command.” 

General Hawkins then presented Colonel Sherlock the Legion of Merit, first oak leaf cluster for her accomplishments while assigned to Travis and during her various deployments. 

Colonel Sherlock thanked the formation for their hard work in preparation for the event. She went on to thank General Hawkins for the chance to command the 60th AMW. 

“I have been truly blessed,” she said. “Command is such a rare opportunity and it is indeed a privilege.” 

She thanked her family for their support and the families of deployed members for supporting those who are on the front lines. 

Colonel Sherlock also commented on the outstanding relationship between the 60th and 349th AMWs. 

“I’ve had plenty opportunities to work with our Reserve partners, and they have all been wonderful, but this has been a special relationship,” she said. 

The change-of-command part of the ceremony followed, with the 60th AMW guidon being passed from Colonel Sherlock to General Hawkins and then on to Colonel Arquiette. 

“This opportunity for my family and me to join Team Travis is truly a blessing,” Colonel Arquiette said. 

He commented on the professionalism and superior service of the 60th AMW.
“I see now that you truly are America’s first choice,” he said. 

The formation finished the ceremony with the pass and review lead by the Col. Allard Carney, 60th AMW director of staff. 

Colonel Sherlock had the honors of reviewing the parade before leaving with her husband, Reserve Army Brig. Gen. Richard Sherlock, and her daughter, Heather. She has been selected as deputy director of strategic plans at the Air Force Air Staff in the Pentagon.