F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Col. Philip Bryant assumed command of the 582nd Helicopter Group during a change of command ceremony May 5, 2023, in the helicopter squadron hangar on F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Prior to his current position, Bryant served as director of operations and communications for 20th Air Force.
Bryant expressed gratitude for the opportunity as well as excitement for the role of command.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to lead the 582 HG and it is very rewarding and exciting to be a part of this helicopter mission. The size and tactical capability of these helicopter squadrons have increased exponentially since I was a first lieutenant flying the UH-1 at Malmstrom,” said Bryant. “Over the next few years, I would like to see the group continue to improve and expand our tactical support to the missile wings, and at the same time, I want to safely and effectively stand up the MH-139 at Malmstrom and prepare F.E. Warren and Minot to receive the MH-139.”
Col. John Beurer, outgoing 582 HG commander, wished Bryant well while expressing excitement for what was to come and even offering some advice.
“Keep up the momentum of this great team,” said Beurer. “We’ve made great strides for our community, but there is still work to be done. I’ll offer you some advice from a friend while I’ve been in command: ‘Just be you. Listen to your wife. Think of your children. Keep your faith. Everything else will fall into place’.”
Beurer will bring his Air Force career to a close, retiring after 29 years of service.
A change of command ceremony is a tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.