Barksdale, 2d Bomb Wing welcome new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Col. Steven Basham assumed command of the 2d Bomb Wing from Col. Robert Wheeler Monday at Hoban Hall. 

Colonel Wheeler arrived at Barksdale in July 2007. He will be stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., where he will serve as the B-2 bomber base's wing commander. 

While the Air Force is sending him to face new challenges, Colonel Wheeler says he will miss working with the Airmen of the 2d BW. 

"Rachel and I would like to take the time to say thank you to the men and women of the 2d Bomb Wing and Barksdale Air Force Base," Colonel Wheeler said. "I appreciate everyone's hard work and the push to make us the tip of the spear for any issue going on in the world from a global strike perspective. 

"You have stood at the ready to accomplish this mission," the colonel added. "You are great stewards of our nation's assets, and you are capable at any time, at any place and anywhere in the world of employing that capability. Deterrence is our business and making our enemies think twice has kept our nation safe for many decades, and it starts here with what you are doing." 

Barksdale's new commander is eager and honored to work with the Airmen here. 

"It's a privilege and an honor to join Team Barksdale as commander of the Mighty Deuce," said Col. Basham, 2d Bomb Wing commander. "Angie and I are thrilled to join the Shreveport-Bossier City community, one clearly partnered with Barksdale in its dedication to the defense of our nation. 

"As one of only five bomber wings in the U.S. Air Force and the largest, we must demonstrate in our daily performance the highest caliber of capability and readiness across our breadth of missions, whether training, providing expeditionary combat support or projecting global power," he continued. 

Colonel Basham previously served as the vice commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., where he was second in command of nearly 5,000 active duty members and 500 civilians. He also assisted overseeing operations involving the wing's fleet of B-52H bombers providing rapid-response, combat-ready force in support of United States Strategic Command and theater Combatant Command operations. 

"The B-52 brings incredible combat power to the fight," Colonel Basham said. "I'm eager to work in concert with our other bomb wings and combat forces to hone and advance our warfighting skills to ensure we are prepared for any challenge we may face." 

Colonel Basham previously served as chief of the combat plans division for the 607th Air Operations Center, Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea. He has also held a number of staff and flying assignments, including command of the 393rd Bomb Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. 

Colonel Basham is a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours, to include the first B-2 combat mission and multiple 30-hour B-2 sorties from Missouri to Serbia and back during Operation ALLIED FORCE. He also served as director of operations for the first combat deployment of the B-2 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 

"Our leaders and our nation rely on us to be a deterrent against our would-be adversaries, and should deterrence fail, be prepared to strike our enemies with precision and unrelenting power -- understanding that peace through strength is always the goal," Colonel Basham said. 

Colonel Basham graduated Officer Training School in 1989 after receiving a Bachelor's degree in 1987 of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Western Kentucky University, Ky. Since then, the colonel went on to attain more military and civilian educational achievements. He was a distinguished graduate in 1996 at Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and has earned scholarships, degrees and dean's lists awards for excellence. 

The colonel's hard work and efforts is reflected by his many decorations, including: Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters, among others.