911th Operations Group gains new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Zachary Vucic
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Airmen, family and members of local Pittsburgh organizations gathered to witness an assumption of command ceremony here Jan. 5, 2019.

Col. Gregory Buchanan accepted command of the 911th Operations Group from Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing.

“It’s an extreme honor to serve as your operations group commander,” Buchanan said. “I’m serving with you and serving for you to impact this mission.”

He continued to speak on the heritage of the 911th AW, and his new role as the group commander. 

“I know with this group on the watch, we’re going to impact the mission,” Buchanan said, addressing the Airmen in attendance. “My job is very simple: It’s to remove all obstacles so you guys can do your job.”

Buchanan is filling an import role for the 911th AW as it continues preparations for a conversion to the C-17 Globemaster III airframe.

“Nobody is joining to become part of an organization. We all joined to be part of a team,” Strawbridge said. “With teams you have to have a leader you trust to make the right decisions, and we have that in (Buchanan).”