When I arrived at the change-of-command ceremony at approximately 1330 on Wednesday, July 8th, roughly 40 Airmen in Service Dress Blues had taken their places between the separate groups of chairs in front of the stage where command of the 91st Missile Wing would formally change hands.

It was a warm, somewhat humid day, and the Defender Dome was soon almost standing room only. As more people took their seats, more bodies brought more body heat, but through it all those 40-plus Airmen stood ready to administer their final salute to Col. Jimmy Schlabach, USAF retired, and their welcoming salute to Col. George Chapman.

Maj. Gen. Stacy Jo Huser took her position at the microphone as Col. Schlabach relinquished command of the 91st Missile Wing to Col. Chapman. Her remarks were comfortably underway, praising Col. Schlabach’s accomplishments, when the ceremony offered a visible example of “next one up,” a standard Air Force practice.
Her address came about 20 minutes into the approximately 60-minute ceremony. By then, those young Airmen had been charged with standing in place for over an hour in a room that continued to warm as the event unfolded.

One young Airman did not seem comfortable, and soon he began to stagger as he tried to maintain his balance. It became clear that the heat had gotten to him and that he was not going to be able to continue. I was close enough to try to reach for him, but he staggered away from my grasp and into the waiting arms of another gentleman.

The Airman was guided to an empty chair as medical staff arrived and quickly took steps to assist him. Off came his service coat, he was asked to drink water, and soon ice packs were administered to his neck and forehead.
The situation was quickly brought under control. Although the young Airman was given the opportunity to leave, he remained in the chair until the ceremony was over. Then, out of the crowd came another Airman who quickly took the vacated spot in the formation.

From the stage, Maj. Gen. Huser could likely see the incident unfold, but she was soon given a thumbs-up that all was under control and that she could continue her speech.

It’s All In The Plan
Heading the formation on Wednesday was Lt. Col. Nicholas Gydesen, commander of the 91st Operations Support Squadron at Minot Air Force Base. Lt. Col. Gydesen explained that the 40 Airmen who were part of the formation were volunteers. He confirmed that the group took their positions around 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony and that “yes, it was certainly getting warm in those service coats.”

There were contingency plans for almost everything one could imagine, including an Airman not being able to continue standing for the entire event. “We had Airmen ready to assist and replace in a situation like what happened today,” Lt. Col. Gydesen said.For Lt. Col. Gydesen, it was an honor to be chosen to lead the group. For me, it was another example of how the men and women of our U.S. Air Force are prepared with a Next One Up attitude.

After that moment at the ceremony, a couple of lighter observations from the week also stood out.

Ah…It Ain’t Really Gonna Be Hot!
I like to greet the young people who check IDs at the gate. By the way, it has been 165 times in a row that I have entered the gate and received a Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, welcome and smile.

On Thursday, with a hot weekend predicted, I was quick to point out that one particular young Airman was lucky to be working Thursday instead of Saturday or Sunday. His response surprised me: “Ah sir, it ain’t really gonna be hot!” When I asked where he was from, he said, “San Antonio, Texas. It gets really hot there.” Isn’t that where Col. Lamarand and Nathalie are headed?

The Jimmy Doolittle Center Is Awesome!
Finally, a salute to the staff of the JDC during the change-of-command and retirement ceremonies last week. The food was great, and the facility was well set up and ready to handle the various receptions.

We enjoy being asked to be part of these celebrations, and we appreciate the various meals prepared and served by the JDC staff.

Don’t Forget the Peace Garden
I have been told that the Peace Garden is “so very beautiful right now.” It’s only a couple of hour drive. Be sure to take your U.S. Passport along as you technically are leaving the U.S. and will need your Passport, or I.D. and Birth Certificate to return to the U.S.

Today’s Chuckle
How come we can remember the smallest detail about what happens to us, but we can never remember how many times we’ve told it to the same person?