A fond farewell to team Pittsburgh

  • Published
  • By Col. James B. Hurley
  • 911 AW/PA
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  After 21 very short months as the Mission Support Group Commander here I will be leaving the Wing in June and headed to North Carolina. It seems like only yesterday when I stood on stage and was 'inducted' into the Pittsburgh Family when I was issued my first piece of required equipment here...The Terrible Towel. I have to tell you, after being here at Pittsburgh it's been the most rewarding assignment of my career. If you think back over the past two years and try to list all the things we've accomplished you, like I, will be amazed.

That list includes: ORTPs 1, 2, 3, and 4, plus the ORE, and a successful ORI. We also deployed and recovered more than 20 percent of the Wing, creation of Air Force Reserve Command's model for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, participation in the G20 Summit, thousands of mishap-free flying hours, design and execution of over $20 million in construction projects including a brand-new lodging facility, and the bed-down approval for Pittsburgh to become a "joint" base with the addition of the Reserve Naval Operational Support Center. Because you just can't capture and list all of the GREAT things that you folks do EVERY SINGLE DAY, whether you are in Operations, Maintenance, Medical, or Mission Support, I am proud to say I was part of the Pittsburgh team.
To wrap, I just want to say THANK YOU to you all. It would be my honor and privilege to be counted as one of the Steel Warriors of the 911th. Pittsburgh will always hold a special place in my heart!!

God Bless you all....and of course, GO STEELERS!!!

James B. Hurley, Col., USAFR
Commander, 911 MSG