Ninth Air Force welcomes new commander Published Aug. 19, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier Ninth Air Force/U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Maj. Gen. Stephen Hoog took command of Ninth Air Force from Maj. Gen. William Holland during an official change of command ceremony here Aug. 17. General Hoog is the second commander to take the Ninth Air Force helm since the organization's activation Aug. 5, 2009. "He is a man who really pays attention to detail; he's going to ensure the men and women of Ninth Air Force continue to be prepared for tomorrow's fight," said Gen. William Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base. Va., who presided over the ceremony. "He's going to take the challenges that are set before us and turn them into opportunities. We're proud and honored to have him take the reins of Ninth Air Force." More than 300 servicemembers, civil servants, community leaders and their families attended the 45-minute ceremony, which kicked-off at 9:09 a.m. in Hangar 1200. At the heart of the ceremony, General Holland relinquished his command as he handed the Ninth Air Force flag to General Fraser. In turn, General Fraser passed the flag to General Hoog, signifying his assumption of command. General Hoog completed a year-long tour in Southwest Asia as deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, deputy commander of Combined Force Air Component, and vice commander of Ninth Air Expeditionary Task Force, prior to taking command of Ninth Air Force. "For the past 12 months, I've watched Ninth Air Force Airmen do incredible things," said General Hoog. "My pledge as your new commander is to do everything I can to take care of our Airmen as they continue to meet this critical mission." Ninth Air Force is responsible for overseeing the management of seven flying wings and three direct reporting units, and for ensuring the operational readiness of 14 designated Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units. General Holland, who will officially retire Dec. 1 after 34 years of military service, plans to stay in the local area. "I'm confident under (General Hoog's) leadership, he'll take this command to new heights," General Holland said.