Col. James Hurley assumes command of 315 AW Mission Support Group Published June 2, 2013 By 1st Lt. Jeff Kelly 315 AW Public Affairs JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- 315th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group Commander Col. Bill Stephens, relinquished command today during a ceremony at the base theater here. Stephens turned over command to Col. James Hurley who is very familiar with the Charleston area having grown up on James Island and who is a 1982 graduate of The Citadel. The ceremony was presided over by Col. James Fontanella, 315 AW commander. Speeches at Sunday's ceremony focused on the leadership and wisdom of Stephens and the excitement of Hurley to be assuming command of the 315 MSG. Stephens was lauded by Fontanella for the many contributions he made while in command. "I want to say thank you to Bill for the many gifts he gave the wing," said Fontanella. "He probably doesn't realize all of the gifts he has given us here at the 315th. He has personally given me wisdom, knowledge of the MSG, leadership and friendship and I appreciate those gifts very much. He has the widest breadth of knowledge of anyone I've ever worked with." Stephens' humility was apparent as he graciously thanked Fontanella for his remarks and credited those for his ongoing career success. "I was just doing my job, but I appreciate those kind words," said Stephens. "This is truly a great organization. I've been honored to serve here at the 315 AW. I give credit to the chiefs, seniors and master sergeants who mentored me as a young lieutenant and all the NCOs and Senior NCOs who gave me a foundation of wisdom in the Air Force to build upon." Fontanella also made it clear that Hurley's achievements are as impressive as Stephens' and remarked that it was an easy choice to select him as the next 315 AW MSG commander. Hurley mentioned more than once that he was excited to be back in the Lowcountry having grown up in the Charleston area. He made it clear that he is pleased to have finally received his first assignment in Charleston after a career that has spanned more than 30 years. "I'm a Charleston guy," said Hurley. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be here. I've been waiting for this for three years and the fact that it is here now is surreal. Being a part of the 315 AW team here is fantastic. I've always measured other bases against Charleston and in most cases they have come up lacking. I'm looking forward to starting this new chapter and my family is looking forward to it as well. Bill left some huge shoes that I am going to do my best to fill."