Wing gets new leadership -- Colonel Bauknight named vice commander Published April 12, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Mary Hinson 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- Col. Mark Bauknight, the new 315th Airlift Wing vice commander, sees his job as giving the wing what it needs to get the mission done. “Everybody that’s here basically knows the job and wouldn’t want to be here if they didn’t want to do a good job,” the colonel said. “It’s my job to remove the roadblocks and give them what they need to get the mission done.” Col. Bauknight also said taking on this new position is “an opportunity for me to get to know more of the people in the wing and to understand the wing as a whole.” Following in his father’s footsteps, Colonel Bauknight decided to join the Air Force because “I always had a dream I would hopefully become a flyer some day.” He was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., completed his Bachelor of Science degree and was selected for pilot training school at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. Upon completing training, the colonel stayed on as a T-38 instructor pilot and then trained other pilots to be instructors. “When I soloed my first student in a T-38, I felt proud the Air Force trusted me to make the decision on whether someone was qualified to fly,” said the Columbia, S.C., native. After leaving Texas, he returned to the Academy to be a part of the screening process for selecting new pilots. From there he went to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and then Scott Air Force Base, Ill., before ending up at Charleston. After 16 years of active duty, Colonel Bauknight joined the 315th AW in the spring of 2000. Of all the positions the colonel held, he said being the squadron commander for the 317th Airlift Squadron has been the best so far. “Having the opportunity to lead a squadron, especially during the mobilizations for the Global War on Terrorism, I feel I have done the most good and it has been the most rewarding.” When it comes to leadership, the colonel said he tries to follow these guidelines – display enthusiasm and a positive attitude; be a good communicator; and always take care of his people. “Take care of your people and they’ll take care of the mission,” said Colonel Bauknight. “I want to keep letting everyone know the great things they are doing. I don’t think they fully appreciate the impact we have and the huge things we’ve done. “I want them to know how much they are appreciated.”