JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –
U.S. Air Force Col. Bridget Gigliotti relinquished command of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the 87th Air Base Wing to U.S. Air Force Col. Wes Adams, during a change of command ceremony on Joint Base MDL, New Jersey, June 16.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark Camerer, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, was the presiding officer of the ceremony.
“[Gigliotti] is an amazing leader, and an absolute amazing role model,” said Camerer. “I want to make sure everybody here knows what a behemoth this joint base is, one that Col. Gigliotti has shouldered, and Col. Adams is about to carry. If you haven’t figured it out, whatever happens at this joint base is ‘kind of a big deal.’ Col. Adams: you were hand-picked for this, and you are absolutely ready!”
Before Gigliotti relinquished command, she was awarded the Legion of Merit for her superior leadership, exemplary foresight, and personal dedication throughout the past two years.
“Thank you, Honorary Commanders, community partners and friends,” said Gigliotti. “Your patriotism, your love of country, your support for the men and women of JB MDL, as well as your understanding and commitment to our mission, is unparalleled. Success would not be possible without all of you!”
Following the passing of the guidon, Adams received his first salute as the joint base commander and began the next chapter for Joint Base MDL.
“I have heard command is like a roller coaster, but it's not about the roller coaster itself,” said Adams. “It's about the foundation, the framework. It is the people, the exacting skill of the people who build what the roller coaster provides that matters the most.”
Adams addressed the Joint Base MDL community by emphasizing, "You simply cannot just be along for the ride. Thrills alone must not be your measure of success. Focus instead on honing your craft, laying a stronger foundation for others and passing along what you know to improve the mission."
He ended by expressing his gratitude and anticipation for the journey ahead.
"To the men and women of the joint base and civic leaders here, it is the honor of a lifetime to stand before you,” said Adams. “I am humbled beyond compare and I look forward to our time together, as we build an already strong foundation and never believe we are just here for the ride."
Adams was most recently a group commander at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He has previously commanded two squadrons and held a variety of positions to include flight line production, executive officer, commander’s action group and operations officer. Adams was commissioned in 1999 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.
As the commander of Joint Base MDL and the 87 ABW, Adams will provide installation support to more than 88 mission partners of the Department of Defense’s only tri-service joint base. He will also be responsible for providing expeditionary mission-ready support to combatant commanders of joint and coalition operations.