3rd Herd Change of Command

The 3rd Combat Communications Group Airmen got a new commander April 21 in a traditional ceremony set against a backdrop of combat communications heavy equipment. Col. Thomas Byrge Jr. is given command of The Herd by Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, 12th Air Force commander from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Group superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Don Seaton assists with the ceremony. Outgoing commander, Col. James Appleyard Jr. retired the next day. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

3rd Herd welcomes new commander

Published April 25, 2008
By Danielle Gregory
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Col. Thomas Byrge took command of the 3rd Combat Communications Group from Col. James Appleyard on April 21; exactly two years to the day after Colonel Appleyard had taken command.
   "The day that I took over this unit I stated that I was honored and humbled to stand before you, honestly that feeling has not changed through the two years," said Colonel Appleyard. "I ask that you support your incoming commander as much as you have supported me through these two years, he is the right person for the job and I can't think of anyone more to hand you over to."
   Colonel Byrge comes to Tinker from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona where he was the director of Communications and Information and commander of the 612th Air Communications Squadron. Colonel Byrge has served in eight deployments to the United States Central Area of Responsibility.
   "It's a great pleasure to be here today, I couldn't be more honored," Colonel Byrge said. "Twenty-two years ago we were second lieutenants and never would have dreamed being here today with the greatest communications unit. I look forward to giving you folks everything I have."
   Colonel Byrge entered the Air Force in 1985 and he holds a Master of Science, Strategic Studies, from the United States Army War College.
   "He's no stranger to this business. He is the right person with the right credentials at the right time to lead this group," said Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern. "I have the upmost confidence in you to carry on the tradition of the 3rd Herd and take them to the next level of excellence."
   Colonel Byrge ended his incoming speech with, "The Air Force, I think, has figured out this is the only thing I know how to do -- I have to deploy or I lead people to deploy."