Change of command honors 97th CS leaders

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eugene Bird
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Col. Keith Moncrief, 97th Mission Support Group commander, passed command of the 97th Communication Squadron from Lt. Col. Martin Schlacter to Lt.Col. (S) Eric Bjurstrom in a ceremony at the Freedom Community Center on Wednesday. 

Major Bjurstrom arrived from Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He was previously a presidential communications officer at the White House Communications Agency, Anacostia Naval Station, D.C., where he managed fixed and deployed communications operations supporting the president, vice president and first lady. 

Colonel Schlacter left for Scott Air Force Base, Ill., on the day of the ceremony, where he will join the Headquarters, Air Mobility Command staff. 

"The 97th CS has had an exciting two-year period," said Colonel Schlacter before the ceremony. 

"Hurricane Katrina, the space shuttle, the 2006 Air Show and grass fire - each of these was not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to show that Altus AFB is the best at everything it does." 

One difficult change the squadron overcame was downsizing. 

"We lost one-third of our manpower, but did things smarter and better. We figured out a way to make things happen safely, legally, and ethically," said Colonel Schlacter. "The most exciting part, though, is the change that is yet to come."
 
"Just as the 97th CS is better today than it was last week, last month, and last year, it will also be a better place next month and next year. That's the nature of Airmen -- we make things better," he said.