Members of the base honor guard post the colors during the official wing change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein relinquished command of the 35th Fighter Wing to Col. Stephen Williams during the official ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces, Japan and 5th Air Force commander, gives opening remarks during the wing change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. A change of command is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing outgoing commander, addresses the crowd at the 35 FW change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. Brig. Gen. Rothstein relinquished command of the 35 FW to Col. Stephen Williams during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, left, U.S. Forces, Japan and 5th Air Force commander, passes the wing guidon to Col. Stephen Williams, 35th Fighter Wing commander, during an official change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. The guidon symbolizes the relinquishment of command from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. Col. Williams comes to Misawa from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea where he served as the 8th Fighter Wing vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Williams, 35th Fighter Wing commander, addresses the crowd at the 35 FW change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. Col. Williams is coming from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, where he served as the 8th Fighter Wing vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Williams, 35th Fighter Wing commander, renders his first salute as the commander of the 35 FW during the change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. During his career, Col. Williams has held various squadron, wing and major command level positions, to include F-16 Fighting Falcon Weapons Instructor and Flight Examiner as well as commander of the 13th Fighter Squadron, at Misawa Air Base, where he earned the 2007 McKay Trophy for the most meritorious sortie of the year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb/Released)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Donald Slayton, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, removes Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein's name to unveil Col. Stephen Williams' name below the canopy of the wing's flagship F-16 Fighting Falcon during an official change of command ceremony, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. The new installation and wing commander, Col. Stephen Williams, is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours, including more than 260 combat hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, receives a final salute from the Airmen of the wing during the 35th Fighter Wing Change of Command at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. The change of command ceremony signifies the allegiance of the Airmen to their new wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Williams, 35th Fighter Wing commander, addresses the wing’s Airmen for the first time after assuming command at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. The change of command is a time-honored military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from one commander to another. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Donald Slayton, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, salutes Col. Stephen Williams, 35th Fighter Wing commander, after revealing his name on a F-16 Fighting Falcon at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. Williams is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours, including more than 260 combat hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan McQuay, 35th Security Forces Squadron vehicle control officer, presents Holly Williams, wife of Col. Stephen Williams, with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the members of the 35th Fighter Wing during the change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. Williams took command of the 35th Fighter Wing at the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)
by Airman 1st Class Kenna Jackson
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/4/2012 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein relinquished command of the 35th Fighter Wing to Col. Stephen Williams as a symbolic representation of the transfer of leadership at the 35 FW change of command ceremony in Hangar 949, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 4, 2012. Rothstein is headed to Arizona to be the commander of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base.
More than 450 service members gathered in Hangar 949 to witness the official ceremony.
During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, guest speaker and Commander of the U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan, presided over the ceremony and also awarded Rothstein with the Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious conduct and performance of outstanding services while in command of the wing.
During Rothstein's parting speech, he acknowledged the hard work and support Misawa Airmen have demonstrated during his two-year tenure.
"Whether in real world or exercise scenarios, this wing has shown an ability to constantly adapt and think under pressure. I cannot begin to tell you what an accomplishment it is to watch you all do your jobs," said Rothstein. "Thank you for making this the best community I've ever seen."
Rothstein also expressed his confidence in Col. Williams' skills and said he is handing the command of the 35 FW to the right person.
"As much as it pains me to give up this command, I know you're [Col. Williams] just the right person," said Rothstein.
During his career, Williams held various squadron, wing and major command level positions to include F-16 Fighting Falcon weapons instructor and flight examiner, Commander of the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base and was the Pacific Air Forces commander's executive officer.
Just before taking command, Williams served for a year as the 8th Fighter Wing vice commander at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
In closing of the ceremony, Williams professed his gratitude and commitment to the Airmen.
"I promise you, I will do my best every day to be worthy to lead this great team," said Williams.
