New 506th AEG/CC: 'Let's get started'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  At an outdoor change-of-command ceremony April 30, 506th Air Expeditionary Group Airmen welcomed their new commander, a fellow Tuskegee Airman, as Col. Eric Overturf succeeded Col. John Costa, 506th AEG and installation commander here.

The morning ceremony was presided over by Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The general said Colonel Overturf arrived here from a unit with direct ties to another historic organization: the 477th Fighter Group, which trained the original Tuskegee Airmen. "It is great bringing another warrior and leader from the Tuskegee Airmen heritage to help carry the legacy forward," he said.

General Bishop also gave Colonel Overturf words of advice to help guide him through his cycle of leadership here, quoting Chinese Philosopher Lao-tzu: "To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not know their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, people hate. When the best leader's work is done, the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"

Colonel Overturf, a Reservist who previously commanded the 477th FG, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, accepted his new role by first thanking Colonel Costa for turning over a group that runs "like a well-oiled machine."

The Greeley, Colo., native said the group is running on "all cylinders."

He told 506th AEG Airmen that they can count on him to set the vision for the group and that he would knock down barriers that stand in their way of performing their jobs. He also charged the Airmen with three things:

Do the jobs you are trained for and called upon to do; support your wingmen and battle buddies from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division; and find time to do something to professionally and personally develop yourselves, he said.

"I am honored to be your commander; let's get started," he said.

For one Airman in the crowd, it was more like re-starting.

"After working with Colonel Overturf for the past year at the 477th FG, I admit I'm excited to have him as the new 506th AEG commander," said Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Zellar, 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, also deployed here from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. "I feel his intuitive and open style of leadership, along with his deep concern for the well-being of all Airmen, will serve the KRAB well," the Syracuse, N.Y., native said.

"He's the type of commander that will walk down a hallway with 20 people, stop, and find out how each one is doing and how he can help them get their job done," Sergeant Zellar said. "Then, he'll find the best way to make those things happen. He's a man of action; I have a lot of respect for him."

Outgoing commander Colonel Costa said farewell to the crowd and spoke of fond memories and the accomplishments of the 506th AEG's Airmen during his tenure here.

The colonel said he was humble to be given the opportunity to command such a fine organization and make history in Iraq, sharing it with the best people he could think of.

"It is never about the location, it is always about the people you meet along the way," he said.

"To my AEG warriors, I am truly proud to be a part of history with you. With the efforts of the 506th AEG's organizations, freedom really can flourish at Kirkuk Regional Air Base," he said.

Colonel Costa will return to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., where he waits to serve in his next position as Joint Air Operations Center deputy commander, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.