Col. “Jazz” Armstrong leads AFFSA Published July 23, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Merrill "Jazz" Armstrong succeeded Col. Kevin Degnan as the Air Force Flight Standards Agency commander during a change-of-command ceremony July 15. The ceremony took place at Hangar 8 at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. About 125 people attended the event and Brig. Gen. Mark Schissler presided over the ceremony. General Schissler is the director of cyber operations within the directorate of operations for the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements at Air Force Headquarters. "Every change of command is a two-part event; we don't just lose one great leader. I came here to tell you today that you pick up another great leader in Jazz Armstrong," said General Schissler. "He's a mobility warrior. He brings a lot of experience to the job and he'll do magnificently, I am convinced." The Flight Standards Agency is an Air Staff agency that relocated its headquarters to Tinker in 2007 from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The unit is responsible for designing and writing basic flight regulations and flight rules. Agency members also support flight operations by examining the advanced cockpit displays and navigational capabilities and supporting international flight rules. Yet, this only makes up about one-third of the AFFSA mission. The remaining two-thirds are dedicated to air traffic control and landing systems, airfield management and instrument procedures criteria. "The day I was announced to come to the Flight Standards Agency, I thought, 'Wow. This is going to be really, really great,'" Colonel Armstrong said. "I know you will continue to innovate and pursue new policies, procedures and systems while we integrate with our [Federal Aviation Agency] partners to make the skies a safer place to fly." Prior to arriving at Tinker, Colonel Armstrong was the deputy director for the secretary of the Air Force personnel council at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Colonel Degnan left for Ready Reserve status within the Air Force Reserves. "He is closing out his career in a storybook fashion," General Schissler said. "This is how every officer would like see themselves ride out "My thanks Kevin, to you, for your leadership, for the way you've worked with the headquarters, with the FAA, with your partners in the business that you do and ensuring our Air Force has the best flight standards that we can have," the general said.