Alaska Command welcomes new boss: Lt. Gen. Handy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Wes Wright
  • 673 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Air Force Lt. Gen. Russell J. Handy became the commander of Alaskan Command in a change-of-command ceremony here, Aug. 9.

In addition to taking the reins of ALCOM, Handy is also the new commander of 11th Air Force and Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. Handy replaces Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog, who had held command since November 2011.

Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and Commander, U.S. Northern Command, presided over the change ceremony.

"General Handy is eminently qualified to wear the many hats of this diverse and vital command," Jacoby said. "I'm delighted by his assignment and proud to serve with him."

In his speech to a packed audience, Jacoby addressed the new ALCOM commander.
"Your selection to lieutenant general demonstrates the nation places its highest confidence in you by entrusting you with its greatest treasure - the men, women and mission of these commands. I know these [Artic Warriors] will be side-by-side with you as they always have been in the execution of your duties."

The new ALCOM commander, who pinned on the rank of lieutenant general during a promotion ceremony preceding the change of command, expressed gratitude and excitement as he began running a command with more than 26,000 members assigned.

"It's humbling to stand up here with all you heroes and with all the men and women of this diverse command," Handy said. "To be given the opportunity to command at all is a privilege, and an incredible honor."

Handy said it is the spirit of togetherness and community that will make the ALCOM mission a success.

"What I think is perhaps most impressive in this Alaska context is not the strategic criticality but it's the small town feel that envelops you when you walk into this state. You get the impression we're all in this together."

Handy closed his speech by addressing the men and women now under his command.

"You're changing the world each and every day up here," he said. "The good news is you're going to continue to excel at that and make wonderful contributions for your country. The challenging part is going to be doing that in this resource-constrained environment. As we navigate through these challenges, energetic men and women from within our ranks and across our community with creative ideas and positive motivation are going to get us through this. We will make good decisions and give sound recommendations to our national leadership because we work through these issues together."

ALCOM is a subunified command of U.S. Pacific Command, responsible for maximizing readiness for Alaskan servicemembers and rapid global deployments.

The new ALCOM commander comes to JBER from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where he was the Director of Staff for Headquarters Pacific Air Forces.

Handy entered the Air Force in May 1983, through the Air Force Officer Training School and has served in 18 assignments: five overseas and 13 stateside, including his current assignment. The general previously served at JBER from July 2003 to August 2005 as the commander of the 3d Operations Group.

General Handy is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flight hours, having flown the F-15A/B/C/D/E, T-37 and T-38. He is a graduate of, and was an instructor, at the USAF Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev.

Additionally, Handy is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical science. He has a Master of Science degree in administration from Central Michigan University, and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and Air War College.

Hoog moves on to his new duties as Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C.