512th Operations Group gets new leadership

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tanisha Brown
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 512th Operations Group held three change of command ceremonies at The Landings here Oct. 16.

Lt. Col. Derin S. Durham assumed command of the 512th OG where he will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III and command more than 320 people.

Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th Airlift Wing commander, presided over the ceremony and said he is confident Durham will be successful in his new position.

"I couldn't have chosen a better person for this position," said Bright. "Dover Air Force Base needs what "Bull" Durham will bring, and that's strong leadership."

As Bright continued, he explained he understood why Durham's nickname is "Bull."

"He has the tenacity of a bulldog," said Bright.

Durham recently served as the 701st Airlift Squadron director of operations, Charleston Air Force Base, SC., and said he is ready for the challenge and shared his goals for the future.

"My vision is to be the best we can be, and my goal is to get the mission done," said Durham. "Safe mission execution is number one. As for my leadership style, people call me Bull for a reason; because I see problems, and I attack them head on."

"I'm not about change for the sake of change," he added. "I'm about change to better the process. I have an open door policy, and I welcome feedback."

Also at the ceremony, Durham served as officiating officer over two additional assumptions of command ceremonies.

Lt. Col. Theresa Cave assumed command of the 709th AS and Lt. Col. Andrew Eiler Jr. assumed command of the 512th Operations Support Flight.

Cave, who previously served as the709th AS chief of Standardization and Evaluations , will now oversee the flying operations of the C-5B and C-5M aircraft and command more than 160 Airmen and civilians.

Eiler, who has served as a C-5 pilot and 512th AW inspector general, will now be responsible for 28 Airmen and Air Force civilians who manage monthly flying schedules and oversees the groups training programs for aircrew members.

"These two commanders represent the best of Dover," said Durham.

He said being a commander won't be an easy task; he is confident they will succeed and thanked them for rising to the challenge.

Cave has not only accepted the challenge, but she is looking forward to what it will bring.

"I look forward to the new challenges, which are inevitable," said Cave.

"We will excel," she added. "We are Dover; we are the 512th; we are the 709th; and, we will deliver!"