Assuming command: Colonel Horton installed as 436th OG commander

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brian Magurie
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- --  Col. David Horton assumed command of the 436th Operations Group in a change-of-command ceremony March 21 at the Air Mobility Command Museum. 

Colonel Horton replaces Col. Merril Alligood Jr., who is retiring after 25 years of service in the U. S. Air Force. 

Colonel Horton was most recently assigned as director for mobility operations at the USAF Warfare Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. He has also served as commander of the 96th Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, Wash., and as deputy commandant of USAF Mobility Weapons School, Fort Dix, N. J. 

Colonel Horton was commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy, and received a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering. He received a Master of Science in Operations Research, Strategic/Tactical Studies from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He completed Air Command and Staff College in 1998, and received a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College. 

Colonel Horton assumes an important mission with the operations group, said Col. Steven Harrison, 436th Airlift Wing commander and officiating officer for the ceremony.
"The men and women of the 436th Operations Group conduct the nation's business in peacetime, contingency and combat, and are charged with nothing less than saving lives and delivering freedom," said Colonel Harrison. 

Colonel Horton said he looks forward to hearing operation improvement ideas from the group's members. 

"We don't have enough people, time or resources to do it the old way," he said. "We have to put new ideas into play and get them in as part of the culture, so that by the time I am going out the door, it's the way we do business. That way we can continue to carry this mission forward." 

As Team Dover receives new C-17s, it will continue to modernize the C-5s. Dover is writing the book on the C-5 modernization because of the excellence exhibited here, Colonel Horton said. 

"AMC didn't pick Dover because they flipped a coin. They picked Dover because they knew you'd get it right. I know we'll get it right," said Colonel Horton. 

Colonel Horton acknowledged the contributions made by the military members of the group. He emphasized the service civilians perform for the Air Force. 

"The civilian corps is pivotal to what we do everyday, and I want you to know that that is not unseen or unrecognized on my part," Colonel Horton said. 

Colonel Horton recognized the importance of families as well as the civilian corps. He emphasized his commitment to supporting the families of deployed Airmen. 

"I need you to trust me, that while you are doing that mission, that we are committed to taking care of your family as our own, so you can focus on the job, stay safe and bring everyone back in one piece," said Colonel Horton. "We are all in this together, and I look forward to working with you."