New boss at the stick Published Dec. 30, 2014 By Master Sgt. Eric Sharman 908th Airlift Wing MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Lieutenant Colonel Daniel J. Ebrecht assumed command of the 357th Airlift Squadron in a September change of command ceremony. Ebrecht assumed command from Lt. Col. Craig W. Drescher, now deputy commander of the 908th Operations Group. The ceremony was presided over by the ops group commander, Col. Edward L. Jennings. Ebrecht comes to the 908th from Reserve duty tour at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., where he was a KC-10 Instructor Pilot and the assistant director of operations for the 76th Air Refueling Squadron. As the new commander of the 357th, his inaugural action has been to observe the unit, and determine the best way to provide positive impact. "I know I'm walking into an outstanding unit so I don't believe there is anything to 'fix' necessarily," said Ebrecht. "I really just want to see what is going on and figure out how I can have a meaningful and positive impact on such a great squadron." One immediate challenge the squadron is faced with is fiscal restraints. Outside-the-box thinking will be needed to innovate and accomplish the mission under the current financial limitations imposed upon the Air Force, according to Ebrecht. "These are certainly tough financial times for the flying community, and we have to change the way we do business if we are to continue to successfully accomplish our mission," said Ebrecht, "We have to continue to increase efficiency on the flying, and maintenance sides as we go forward." Ebrecht credits his ability to focus on both the flying and maintenance sides of the mission, to his marriage. His wife, Lt. Col. Kerri Ebrecht, is the commander of the 94th Maintenance Squadron at Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga. "I think we both benefit from each other's careers because it lets us see both side of the coin," said Ebrecht, "It really helps us understand the needs of the other unit, and contributes to a positive ops-to-maintenance dialogue."