Adm. Robert Willard, U.S. Pacific Command commander, passes the guidon to Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog, during the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska change of command ceremony at Hangar 20 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 7. Hoog assumed the command from Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steve White)
Adm. Robert Willard, commander of Pacific Command, congratulates Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins after awarding the retiring officer with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal during the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska change of command ceremony Nov. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steven White)
Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog addresses his new command for the first time during the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and Joint Task Force Alaska change of command ceremony held Nov. 7, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Admiral Robert Willard, Pacific Command commander, officiated the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steve White)
Representatives of the Navy, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force and Canadian military took part in the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska change of command ceremony held in Hangar 20, Nov. 7, 2011. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog assumed command from Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steven White)
Maj. Michael Willen directs a combined band of members of the Air Force Band of the Pacific, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, with band members of the 9th Army Band, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. They performed during the change of command ceremony for the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska, Nov. 7. (U.S. Air Force photo/Steven White)
Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog addresses the men and women of Alaskan Command during the change of command ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 7. Hoog assumed the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska command from Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, who is retiring after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding)
Staff Sgt. Maria Carlson, 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, salutes Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog after unveiling his name on an F-22 Raptor during the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska change of command ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Nov. 7. Hoog assumed command from Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, who is retiring from the Air Force after 36 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
Army Col. Terrance Dolan, commander of troops, leads the color guards during the presentation of colors during the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska change of command at Hangar 20 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 7. Dolan is the Chief of Staff of Alaskan Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
by Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding
JBER Public Affairs
11/10/2011 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog replaced Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins as the senior military leader in Alaska during a change of command ceremony here Nov. 7 at Hangar 20.
Adm. Robert Willard, U.S. Pacific Command commander, Army Gen. Charles Jacoby, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander, and Air Force Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, presided over the ceremony.
As commander of Alaskan Command, a sub-unified command under U.S. Pacific Command, Hoog integrates the activities of more than 21,000 active-duty, Guard and Reserve members from all services in Alaska. General Hoog also commands 11th Air Force and oversees the training and readiness of three wings and Air Force installations located throughout the state. As commander of the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, he directs air operations within Alaska to ensure defense against all hostile airborne threats. Reporting to U.S. Northern Command, Hoog is also the commander of Joint Task Force Alaska and is responsible for the planning and execution of all Homeland Defense operations within the theater, including security and civil support actions.
All components that make up Alaskan military forces assembled for the ceremony. U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Forces gathered along with civic leaders, family, and friends to welcome their new commander and his wife.
"This morning we welcome Boss (Lt. Gen. Hoog) and Cinde," Willard said. "Here is an impressive leader with a distinctive career, uniquely well suited to assume this strategically important post and manage the multi-faceted nature of this assignment."
Willard added he has no doubt Hoog will build upon the proud heritage of Alaskan Command.
Hoog, the former 9th Air Force commander, Air Combat Command, Shaw AFB, S.C., focused his comments on the opportunity and challenges which lie ahead.
"I'd like to thank General North for your trust and confidence which led to this opportunity to command," Hoog said. "Sir, as you know there is no higher honor or responsibility than being charged with our nation's mission success and the welfare of our incredible people."
The new commander told the crowd how impressed he was with the local community and the servicemembers who make up forces in Alaska.
"To the men and women who make up this team serving in the last frontier, my pledge is simple, together we'll accomplish the mission our nation requires, while focusing on our greatest asset, our people," Hoog said. "I don't need to tell anyone about the fiscal realities we face in the future and I'm looking forward to working with each of you as we meet the challenges that lie ahead."
The outgoing commander expressed his gratitude and respect for his Alaskan team and for the future.
"General and Mrs. Hoog, the best hand in poker is a royal flush and I'll tell you that you've just inherited a royal flush and it's not because of me, it's because of what you see out in front of you; it's a phenomenal team. It's what sits beside you right now on this stage; phenomenal commanders that allow us the flexibility to lead," Atkins said. "I think that you are going to find that Alaska is the bench mark of all communities; Alaska is truly different."
Atkins is scheduled to retire Jan. 1 and will take his place as president of The Augusta Chronicle in Augusta, Ga.
