15 OG commander relinquishes command

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Erin Smith
  • 15 AW/PA
Hickam Air Force Base --  Col. Steven Groenheim relinquished his command of the 15th Operations Group Wednesday at the Hickam Mall.   

Colonel Groenheim, his wife Trisha and sons Steven, Jack and Sam will go to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he will be the Headquarters, United States Air Forces Europe C-17 manager. 

During a speech to attendees at the ceremony, he expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all members of Team Hickam.  

"You have all made this a very special day for the 15th Operations group, a special day for my family and me," said the colonel. "Our mission is to provide the best combat ready forces, the best support to air operations and the best airlift in the world.  I sincerely believe we do this at the 15th Airlift Wing." 

The colonel not only thanked Team Hickam members but challenged them to keep improving.  

"Our vision is closely linked to forward movement," he said.  "Our vision is Kokua Imua, cooperation, moving forward for precision delivery.  When we say the mantra 'take it to the next level,' it is not happenstance that we perform better than yesterday."   

As he said his final farewell, Colonel Groenheim parted with a few words of wisdom.

"Leadership is about responsibility and results.  Empower greatly, delegate sparingly," he said.