36th MSG holds Change of Command, ushers in new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman Carissa Wolff
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  More than 100 guests attended the 36th Mission Support Group change of command ceremony held at Andersen's newest hangar, Hangar 6, June 16.

Incoming 36th MSG commander, Colonel Alan Wieder was previously stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. At Wright-Patterson, he served as the chief of the Civil Engineer Operations Division, directorate of communications, installations and mission support, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command.

During the ceremony, Colonel Wieder spoke of his expectations for the 36th MSG. He said his leadership style is based on three main areas.

"First is safety," said Colonel Wieder. "What we do is inherently dangerous and I understand that, but we need to be looking at safety every day. We cannot afford unnecessary, preventable accidents or incidents."

With safety in mind all Airmen should focus on customer service.

"Every member of the Mission Support Group has a customer," Colonel Wieder said. "Nobody is here to do a job for their own satisfaction or accomplishment. Customer service, in my eyes is job one. We need to find out what the customer needs which is not necessarily what the customer wants, and do the best of our ability to satisfy that need."

Finally he said Airmen need to keep quality a priority while working.

"I'm talking about grassroots, back-to-basic, doing the right job timely and correctly the first time," Colonel Wieder said.

Colonel Wieder took command from Col. Mark Talley, who led the 36th MSG for two years. As commander, he oversaw the essential mission support for 9,000 military, civilian, dependent and retired personnel.

According to Colonel Talley, his time with Team Andersen has been quite a privilege.

"It has been a true honor for me to command the 36th Mission Support Group as evidenced by these incredible people you have before you today," Colonel Talley said. "When I stepped off the plane 27 months ago I did not imagine the challenges and successes that awaited this group, Andersen AFB, my wonderful family and me."

While the assignment had its challenges, it was also very rewarding, he said.

"Fast forward to today," Colonel Talley said. "I am awestruck at the growth of this base, our mission, the people I have had the privilege to work with and even myself; all have grown immeasurably."