Maj Gen Vander Hamm final flight

Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, hides from being hosed down by his family on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 13, 2015. Vander Hamm's final flight in a B-52H Stratofortress was celebrated with being soaked by his family. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagan Jr.)

Maj Gen Vander Hamm final flight

Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, receives a final weather update before his final flight on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 13, 2015. Vander Hamm commanded the "Mighty 8th" for almost two years and was given the opportunity to fly a B-52H Stratofortress one last time before leaving. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagan Jr.)

Maj Gen Vander Hamm final flight

A B-52H Stratofortress piloted by Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, and aircrew members taxi under streams of water on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 13, 2015. Firefighters shot water over the aircraft as part of the celebration for Vander Hamm's final flight on Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagan Jr.)

Maj Gen Vander Hamm final flight

Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, waves to friends and family on the flightline at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 15. As a celebration of his time as a commander, Vander Hamm flew his last flight in a B-52H Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagan Jr.)

Maj Gen Vander Hamm final flight

Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, uses an oxygen mask test unit to make sure his helmet works properly on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 13, 2015. The machine is used to test aircrew equipment for leaks and simulates an altitude of up to 48,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagan Jr.)

8th Air Force commander bids farewell to Mighty Eighth

Published April 15, 2015
By Major General Scott A. Vander Hamm
Commander, Eighth Air Force

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Mighty Eighth

As I enter my final week as your Commander, I am reminded of your outstanding efforts in each and every endeavor we have led or influenced in the last eighteen months and I have no doubt your remarkable work will continue. I would like to thank all of you for your exceptional service and commitment to our great nation. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented group of individuals who, as a unified team, can truly accomplish anything.

Joanna and I will continue our service at the Pentagon, but I assure you that we will keep each of you and your families in our thoughts and prayers. The opportunity to continue shaping how we defend the United States is one of great prestige and honor. All I ask of you is to genuinely embrace the duties you have so faithfully assumed and appreciate that our labors are the foundation of our liberties.

I am confident our members will arrange an impeccable transition for Maj. Gen. Richard Clark as he assumes command of Eighth Air Force. Our team deserves the very best; with Maj. Gen. Clark at the helm the Mighty Eighth will thrive. he is a tireless leader with nearly thirty years of service to the United States and guarantees you will endure as the benchmark to which all other Numbered Air Forces are compared.

Thanks again for such a magnificent opportunity to serve alongside each of you. I look forward to the personal and professional accomplishments you will undoubtedly achieve in the future.

Sincerely

Scott A. Vander Hamm,
Major General, USAF