621 CRW welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Russell Martin
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J --  Col. Charles R. Henderson took the reins of the 621st Contingency Response Wing from Col. James A. Copher in a change of command ceremony at the Global Reach Deployment Center here, June 29.

Major Gen. Fredrick H. Martin, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, presided over the event and honored Copher's two years of command and commended the Airmen of the CRW.

"This is where global mobility happens," Martin said. "When you're watching the news on TV and see headlines about operations going on around the world, we know that your team is a part of it."

He went on to applaud Copher's accomplishments and praised the former commander for leaving the organization a much more improved wing upon his departure. He concluded his remarks by welcoming Henderson and stating that the new commander was the right man for the job.

Henderson comes to the 621st CRW after serving as the Vice Commander, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The wing consisted of two air mobility operations groups at Ramstein AB and another at Rota, Spain. His duties were to provide oversight of all command and control, en route maintenance support, and air transportation services for theater and strategic air mobility missions in Europe and Southwest Asia.

Henderson is a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in the C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender and T-37 Cessna aircraft.

After accepting command, Henderson highlighted his top priorities for his command: wingmen and the mission.

"You guys are ready. I see the Air Force's finest Airmen when I look at you," Henderson said. "I am excited to serve alongside you."

Established in March 2005 and based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. and Travis Air Force Base, Calif., the 621st CRW consists of approximately 1,500 Airmen in three groups, eleven squadrons and more than 20 geographically separated operating locations aligned with major Army and Marine Corps combat units. The wing maintains a ready corps of light, lean and agile mobility support forces able to respond at a moment's notice in order to meet Combatant Command wartime and humanitarian needs.