Stevens assumes command of 64 ARS

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Alec Vargus
  • 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. --  Members of both the 157th Air Refueling Wing and 64th Air Refueling Squadron gathered here to watch Lt. Col. Bradley Stevens assume command of the 64th Sunday, June 8.

"Lt. Col. Bradley Stevens values and respects his team, and I have no doubt he'll bring great vision and continued momentum to the 64th," said Col. Jennifer Uptmor, 22nd Operations Group commander. "He has all the skill sets and experience required as a new squadron commander."

The 64 ARS is an active duty associate unit embedded with the 157 ARW at Pease as part of an Air Force wide initiative called total force integration. The goal of TFI is to combine the strengths of both the active duty and reserve components.

Uptmor offered her thoughts on the success of the TFI partnership.

"The success of total force integration has been truly showcased and is a model for how to do things, and is best done here at Pease because of the clear vision and commitment of leadership," said Uptmor.

Lt. Col. Scot Heathman, the outgoing commander of the 64th also had positive words to say about his successor.

"Stevens has been an incredible operations officer, and his leadership, caring and devotion to duty is exactly what this squadron needs."

Before relinquishing command, Heathman was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal and the N.H. National Guard Distinguished Service Medal.

Lt. Col Stevens was assigned to the 64th as operations officer in Oct. 2013. Previous assignments include Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, United Kingdom and Langley AFB, Virginia.

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Stevens had an opportunity to speak about his experience as an active duty Airman embedded within the Air National Guard.

"We at the active duty Air Force hear a lot about the Air National Guard as a family. I truly feel like you've accepted us into your family, and we at the United States Air Force are better for it," said Stevens.

157 ARW Vice Wing Commander Peter Sullivan expressed his confidence in the new commander's potential and in the partnership between the two organizations.

"Brad is now the fourth squadron commander of the 64th and we have no doubt he's going to be a tremendous success story just like his predecessors," said Sullivan. "He is a smart, engaged leader who is intent on ensuring we continue on as the most successful association in the Air Force."