94 AW welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Park
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Maj. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, conferred command of the 94th Airlift to to Col. Steven B. Parker during an assumption of command ceremony here Dec. 6.

Harris introduced Parker to the wing by highlighting the sacrifices he has made throughout his career, including moving his family nine different times in the last 15 years. She also discussed the impact she expects him to make as the 94 AW commander.

“Col. Parker brings a different perspective, having spent the majority of his career in the combat and training world – though he knows firsthand and understands the unique and enormous contributions of the mobility world,” said Harris. “Col. Parker knows how important the tactical airlift mission is for our national security. He also knows how important the community is in enabling Dobbins and supporting the mission.”

Parker assumed leadership of the wing following a four-month period of command for Col. Brent A. Merritt, 94 AW vice commander.

“For the last four months, Merritt took the helm and performed so well during this transition period, and I thank him,” said Harris.

The new 94 AW commander began his speech by also thanking Merritt.

“Col. Merritt has done a tremendous job at taking over for Col. [Brent] Clark [former 94 AW commander] and leading this wing,” said Parker. “Thank you so much for what you’ve done.”

Parker continued his speech with a bit of empathy for all those in formation.

“I know there are two things that are on your mind right now,” Parker said. “’How long do you have to listen to me’ and ‘What am I going to change?’”

He answered the latter with his personal philosophy on change.

“I look at change as an opportunity, and I want you to focus on change the same way,” Parker explained. “That point of view will help us grow and succeed.”

His adeptness at finding opportunity in change is most likely a result of the diverse work experience he gained throughout his career, including two fighter assignments flying F-15 Strike Eagles and three pilot training instructor assignments at three different bases before taking command of the 340th Flying Training Group at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

“Everything you’ve been through leads to a thought process, a state of mind – everything that’s going on in your head,” Parker said. “Even though we are all in the military and have similar training – the same commitment and patriotism, the same core values – each of us thinks differently. I want to capture the strength of everything that’s in your brain and combine it with everything that’s going on in my brain to make things happen.”

Reflecting on his own experience as a fighter pilot, he offered a look at his perspective on communication.

“Looking back to my career as a fighter pilot, it kind of shapes who I am,” said Parker. “It shapes a little bit of my attitude, and it shapes my communication style. There’s only one person in the cockpit, so you have to communicate between airplanes. If everything is going as planned, no one needs to talk.”

What this means for Dobbins as a whole is more accountability and minimized interference from Parker, he said.

“If you’re expecting daily communication, that’s not where I come from,” said Parker. “I’ll tell you where we’re going to go, and if we’re going that direction, I don’t need to talk to you again.”

Parker is, however, adamant about the use of constructive feedback as a means to elevate Team Dobbins, he explained. The former F-15 pilot once again drew comparison to his days of flying Strike Eagles, explaining that the fighter-pilot community was critical of itself to promote excellence.

“I want you guys to be critical of yourselves as well,” Parker said. “We look at each other, debrief each other, correct each other - and we’ll all grow to be better.”

Providing feedback is not only a product of his background, but also from his time training pilots, Parker said. The instructor would have trainees brief him on their strategies and then he would allow them to make their own decisions during the training exercise. If needed, he’d make corrections while they were flying. But, he would try to keep his input to a minimum to allow for maximum learning opportunities. The new wing commander plans to continue this training philosophy for the wing.

“You have a tremendous amount of flexibility,” said Parker. “I expect you to make decisions. I expect you to create all the great ideas and to implement them.”

The Midwestern-native stressed the importance of family and work-life balance.

“Growing up in Iowa, I had a strong sense of family,” said Parker. “I love my family, and they are so much fun to be with. They are very proud of me and what I’ve done here in the Air Force, and I am equally proud of everything they have done. Family is a very big part of who I am.”

We ask you to keep the triad of your reserve job, your family, and either your school or your work life balanced. I understand you have all those family things that are tugging on you,” Parker added.

Spending the last 15 years moving around for the Air Force has tugged Parker in various directions as he’s tried to balance his own personal and professional life, he said. However, it seems that Parker and his family are ready and eager to settle into their new home in Georgia.

“We consider Georgia home,” said Parker. “Out of all the places we’ve lived, we’ve lived in Georgia longer than anywhere… We are very, very excited about coming home.”