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Murphy takes charge of 305th AMW

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst bid farewell to one leader and welcomed another at a change of command ceremony for the 305th Air Mobility Wing Sept. 2.

Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony between out-going commander Col. Scott Smith and in-coming commander Col. Paul Murphy.

Men and women of the 305th AMW, family members and community partners were in attendance to witness the transfer of authority and responsibilities.

The guidon was passed and those eight important words were uttered, "Sir, I relinquish command" and "Sir, I assume command" passing command responsibilities of the 305th AMW to Murphy.

"General Allardice, thank you for the trust and opportunity to command this wing," remarked Murphy. "Taking command of the same unit Col. Curtis Lemay took to war in Europe in World War II is more humbling than anything I could have imagined."

Murphy assumes authority and responsibility for the 305th Wing and its vital KC-10 and C-17 aircraft, which provide global mobility through aerial refueling and air-land capabilities in support of national security objectives, combat operations, contingencies and humanitarian relief efforts worldwide. He also commands two of the Air Mobility Command's busiest aerial ports, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of forces and material in the Global War on Terror, as well as management of air operations at Lakehurst.

Murphy, a graduate from Northeastern University in Boston in 1987, entered active duty in 1988 with a ROTC commission from Boston University. Prior to his current assignment, Murphy was chief of programs division, Headquarters AMC, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he was responsible for planning and programming for the command's force structure to include 55,000 personnel, 1,295 mobility aircraft, 12 active duty main operating bases providing forces operating worldwide.

Murphy is also a command pilot with over 3,300 flying hours in the KC-135, A/Q, R/T, T-37, KC-10A, E-4B and C-17A aircraft.

Referring to the capabilities of the 305th AMW, Murphy said, "If you want a glimpse of what the Air Mobility Command of the next half century is going to look like, you need look no further than this hangar and this ramp. Our future young officer and enlisted leadership are present right here in the stands and in formation standing at parade rest."


"Thank you for the wonderful turnout, we have great missions and great aircraft" said Murphy. Turning to Allardice, he added "We have the fleet of the future, sir, can do - will do."