OG chief praises change of command Published April 3, 2013 By Chief Master Sgt. Harold Simpson 62nd Operations Group Chief Enlisted Manager JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The 62nd Operations Group recently held a change of command ceremony, where we bid farewell to Col. Paul Eberhart and his wife Lori, and welcomed our new commander Col. Andrew Hird and his wife Alicia. The change of command ceremony is a long-lasting tradition and is the formal symbolic passing of responsibility, authority and accountability of command from the outgoing commander to the new commander. The ceremony also provides the outgoing commander an opportunity to say goodbye to those who have been under his or her command. The project officer for the ceremony was Capt. Andrew Marino, 7th Airlift Squadron assistant support flight commander. It was awesome to see professionals from different organizations come together and supply the resources and personnel required to make the change of command ceremony a memorable day for the Eberhart and Hird families. During his comments, Eberhart spoke about the operation's tempo and the accomplishments of the OG during his 700 days of command. Eberhart's time at Joint Base Lewis McChord seemed lengthy, but it went by quick. In about 580 days, a request will be sent out looking for a new project officer to coordinate the next change of command. By that time, Hird and his wife Alicia will have used their talents and skills to lead the group through fiscal challenges, build professional Airmen and cared for their families. When the time comes for the next change of command, I know the amazing Airmen and civilians of the operations group will once again rally around the project officer and make it resounding success! To the men and women of the group, thank you for what you do and I'm proud to be a part of your team.