DANNELLY FIELD, Ala. -- Col. Edward Casey replaced Col. William Sparrow as the commander of the 187th Fighter Wing during a ceremony May 31, 2019 at Dannelly Field.
Brig. Gen. Randy Efferson, Alabama National Guard Air Component commander, presided over the ceremony.
Retired Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke, also in attendance, spoke about Sparrow’s accomplishments as well as the high expectations for Casey.
“Every commander keeps getting better and better,” Clarke said. “The idea that the active association was selected to come here, the idea that the F-35 was selected to come here, were not accidents. This wing has done well in training environments and combat operations again and again because it has excellent people.”
The Red Tails’ high performance in recent deployments and training was a recurring theme during the ceremony, and Casey recognized the wing’s Airmen in his speech.
“I look forward to getting to continue to serve alongside all of you,” Casey said. “What we get to do is incredibly important, and it’s an honor and privilege to do this job for America and the great state of Alabama.”
Casey also revealed the wing’s new mission statement during the ceremony, emphasizing the Red Tails’ primary mission.
“We deliver combat Airmen and aircraft for rapid deployment anytime, anywhere, and we do it with excellence, in keeping with our Tuskegee Airmen lineage,” Casey said.
Casey received his commission from the U.S. Air Force academy in 1995. His time in the active duty Air Force included assignments as the 9th Air Force F-16 Demonstration Team commander, the lead solo pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds, and the Iraq Country Director for the Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. He joined the 187th Fighter Wing in 2014.
Casey has flown more than 530 combat hours in support of operations Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Prior to the change of command he served as the wing’s Vice Commander.