Detachment 1 receives new commander, holds Change of Command ceremony

Colonel Frank Flores, Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center commander, passes the guidon to incoming Detachment 1 commander, Capt. Ronald Dion, at the detachment’s change-of-command ceremony June 12 at the place “where America’s day really begins.” As commander of Det. 1, Capt. Dion is responsible for three military and 90 contractor personnel operating the detachment. Command of Det. 1 is a one-year remote assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mr. Tommie Baker)

Detachment 1 receives new commander, holds Change of Command ceremony

Capt. Jason Hardman addresses the members of Detachment 1, Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center one last time at Wake Island Airfield, Hawaii June 12. Hardman relinquished command of Det. 1 to Capt. Ronald Dion. As commander of Det. 1, Capt. Dion is responsible for three military and 90 contractor personnel operating the detachment. Command of Det. 1 is a one-year remote assignment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mr. Tommie Baker)

Detachment 1 receives new commander, holds Change of Command ceremony

Published June 16, 2015
By Mr. Tommie Baker
Eleventh Air Force Public Affairs

WAKE ISLAND AIRFIELD, Hawaii -- On a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, "where America's day really begins," Detachment 1, Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, held a change of command ceremony where Capt. Ronald Dion assumed command here June 12.

Dion takes command of three active-duty personnel and oversight of 90 contractors. The island and its personnel serve a key role in supporting trans-Pacific air traffic and critical missile defense testing.

Col. Frank Flores, PRSC commander, presided over the ceremony.

"All of you on this island are absolutely essential to these missions. All of you here today, regardless of your circumstances, are making some sort of sacrifice. I thank all of you for your service," said Flores. "The tradition of Wake Island embodies a contractor-military relationship that, during World War II, was a matter of life and death. In 1941, the residents of Wake Island held out against overwhelming forces long enough to inspire a nation."

"It's truly been an honor and a life-changing experience to lead Det. 1," said Capt. Jason Hardman, outgoing Det. 1 commander. "I couldn't have picked a better group of people if I had to. Ron, I wish you the best of luck as you start your journey."

During his time here, Hardman guided the detachment's $43.6 million base operation support contract, 485 joint aircraft sorties, four in-flight emergencies, and two search and rescue operations. Also, under his leadership, 283 Missile Defense Agency personnel were provided bed-down and garrison support during a $226 million live-fire test event.

Dion's previous assignment was as program management flight commander, 611th Air Support Squadron, PRSC, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Dion has served as procurement manager, project manager, and executive office.

"To all the people I'll be working with for the next year, I'm looking forward to working with you as a team," said Dion as he took command.