Wing receives new commander during change of command ceremony

  • Published
  • By 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Col. David P. Garfield assumed command of the 482nd Fighter Wing from Brig. Gen. Christian G. Funk during change-of-command ceremony Sept. 13.

Maj. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, 10th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and transferred the 482nd Fighter Wing guidon from Funk to Garfield.

"General Funk is a world-class leader and everything he does is going to be great," said Scobee. "I've known him for 33 years since I watched him play football at the Air Force Academy."

Scobee thanked both Funk and his family for their service as they transition 19th Air Force, Air Education Training Command, located at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, where he will be the vice commander.

During the ceremony, Funk offered parting words of wisdom on mentorship.

"You have mentors, people you listen to and talk to about your career and how you conduct your life," said Funk. "Are your mentors not just identifying issues or problems, but do they offer a solution? Surround yourself with winners rather than complainers because winners fix things, make things better and overcome adversity."

Funk was then awarded the Legion of Merit, first oak leaf cluster.

"Col. Garfield has commanded a fighter group and he come to us with a great inspection background from Air Combat Command," Scobee said. "This will be his third opportunity to command and he and his family will be a great addition to the Homestead community and Team Homestead."

In his remarks, Garfield thanked his family and other members of the Wing.

"She has done so much, and I can't express enough today the love I have for her -- for what she has done for me and this family," he said.  "She is remarkable. This day isn't about me, it's about her."

After dedicating the day to his spouse, Garfield then addressed the Airmen of the Wing.

"I understand there will be challenges and we will work to continue to succeed in the footsteps of Gen. Funk," he said. "I'm here to tell you that when you need help, I will be there to help. I pledge to do my best to take care of you."

Garfield graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1989. He was a distinguished graduate of ROTC and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1989. Serving on active duty for nine years, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 1999.

Prior to assuming command here, Garfield served as the deputy inspector general and team chief, Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters Air Combat Command, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

His past assignments include serving as a T-38 Talon instructor pilot and flight examiner at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, and Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. At Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, he served as an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot and flight commander. At the 301st Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, he was director of operations at the 457th Fighter Squadron. During his assignment at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, he was commander of the 944th Operations Group.