151st Medical Group receives new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lillian Harnden
  • 151 ARW/PA
SALT LAKE CITY --  The Utah Air National Guard's 151st Medical Group conducted a change-of-command ceremony on base Dec. 2.

During the ceremony, officiated by the wing commander Col. Samuel Ramsay, Col. Paul Byrd relinquished command of the 151st Medical Group to Lt. Col. Kevin Windsor.

In a speech directed first toward Byrd, Ramsay boasted about the challenges Byrd overcame during his 18 months in command of the 151st MDG.

"It's one thing to go at an organization and basically do a rebuild of all your programs and prepare for an inspection," said Ramsay. "But then roll on top of that, doubling your manpower, hiring 47 more people and building the CERFP squadron at the same time--[that's] phenomenal work. I think you're going out on such a high note."

Next, Ramsay directed his speech to Windsor.

"You're coming in on such a high note that you were also a part of building, and what a wonderful thing that is too," said Ramsay. "Today you are going to take that weighty mantle of responsibility off Col. Byrd's shoulders, and you're going to swing that backpack of rocks on yours. I know you're well prepared for it."

Then Ramsay addressed his remarks to the audience of 151st MDG members.

"The success of this organization is not just due to these two guys," said Ramsay. "It's due to everybody in here. It speaks volumes to the professionalism and expertise of everyone in this room. What a great team effort the past year and a half has been."

Byrd also expressed pride in the accomplishments of the 151 MDG during his command.

"I appreciate very much the efforts that all of the unit members put forth to succeed so well," said Byrd. "Our unit received the highest Health Services Inspection score in the Air National Guard for 2012. You guys did awesome. It's been an honor to work with you, serve with you and deploy with you."

Windsor then reminded the audience that the 151st MDG also received the highest 2012 CERFP rating in the entire National Guard.

Immediately following the ceremony, Byrd formally retired after 41 years of military service; with 15 of those years serving in the Utah Air National Guard.

Before assuming command of the 151st MDG, Windsor last served as the Utah Homeland Response Force medical planner. Windsor is now going on 30 years of military service.

To conclude the ceremony, Windsor stated his gratitude for inheriting a unit "that is not broken."

"Col. Byrd already received two phone calls from two other units that would like us to come to their unit and tell them how we became the best. That is incredible to me," said Windsor.

Windsor then outlined his aspirations as the new commander.

"I've had a vision, a goal, of being a member of the premier medical group in the entire Air Guard," said Windsor. "We are not there yet, but we are going to be. By working together we will continue to move forward."