Fischer assumes command of Mission Support Squadron

  • Published
  • By Capt. Brus Vidal
  • 22nd ARW Public Affairs
Maj. William Fischer assumed command of the 22nd Mission Support Squadron during a 9 a.m. change-of-command ceremony July 5 in the Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom here.

The ceremony was presided over by Col. Richard Wesche, 22nd Mission Support Group commander, and formally turned responsibility of command over to Major Fischer, who succeeded Maj. Kevin Brooks.

Major Brooks will now move forward to become the Manpower commander at Brussles Air Force Base, Belgium.

Although Major Fisher took command of his first squadron here, this is not the first time at McConnell Air Force Base.

His father, Col. (Ret.) Joseph W. Fischer, was previously assigned to the 533rd Strategic Missile Squadron and the 381st Strategic Missile Wing from May 1969 - June 1972.

"I was born in 1968, so I was age 1-4, but we're still calling this a ‘return to McConnell' for me. It is definitely a return to McConnell for my mom and dad," Major Fisher said about his parents, who attended the change of command ceremony - his father, a 27-year veteran, in service dress uniform.

While stationed at McConnell, Colonel (then Captain) Fisher served as a deputy missile combat crew commander, missile combat crew commander, squadron site commander, wing officer controller, and senior wing officer controller.

Major Fischer is a 1993 graduate of Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His operational and staff assignments include leadership positions at the squadron, wing, major command and field operating agency level.

He participated in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and was responsible for leading the largest forward-deployed Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Major Fischer holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, University of Texas-Arlington, Arlington, Texas, and earned a master's in public administration, Auburn University-Montgomery, Montgomery, Ala., and a master's in security studies, NavalPostgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. His military education includes Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Air Command and Staff College by correspondence.

Major Fischer praised Major Brooks for his leadership and said he hopes to carry forward the superb quality of performance and customer service established during Major Brooks' tenure.

"Change will continue as we leverage more technology and we re-organize the way that we provide those services," Major Fischer said. "With the team we have here I know that the Air Force will continue to look to McConnell for the best organized, motivated, educated war fighters in the Air Force."