JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Col. John F. Robinson accepted command of the 315th Airlift Wing from Col. Adam B. Willis during a change of command ceremony June 3 in the nose dock at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
During his speech to his new wing members, Robinson pointed out that success was truly achieved with a team effort.
“The C-17, for the sake of argument, has a million parts, but not one of those parts alone can get into the air and carry cargo or troops anywhere around the world,” Robinson said. “It takes all those parts working together, and every Airman in the wing has equal importance in their job and what they do. And, by everybody doing their job and working together in the wing we will soar.”
Robinson was most recently the Commander, 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Coraopolis, Pa. As installation commander, he led a wing with more than 1,200 Air Force Reserve members and approximately 300 civilian employees. Maj. Gen. Jeffrey T. Pennington, Fourth Air Force Commander, presided over the ceremony and passed the wing guideon from Willis to Robinson.
The general acknowledged that he had not known Robinson long but knew that the newest 315 AW commander would do a great job.
He also praised Willis as a smart leader who led the wing through challenging times, including COVID-19 and the Afghanistan evacuation operations.
About five years ago, Robinson served as the 315th Operations Group commander here, and he is a familiar face, especially among the wing’s flyers. While on active duty, he served with the 17th Airlift Squadron when the squadron became the first in the Air Force to get the C-17 Globemaster III.
“Half of you don’t know who I am, the other half don’t know who I have grown into,” Robinson said. “We will get to know each other.”
In a parting statement, Willis said, “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have learned from the finest Citizen Airmen in the Air Force.”