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Return to First Friday Briefing Searcy
Retires, Hammond Appointed Acting Air Guard Commander
Major General William N. “Wick” Searcy ended his career Saturday steps away from where he started his military career at the 165th Airlift Wing 37 years earlier. At a change of command ceremony at the Savannah Airlift Wing where hundreds of friends and well-wishers were in attendance, Major General Searcy relinquished command of 3,300-member of the Air National Guard to General Scott A. Hammond, formerly chief of staff and a 19-year veteran of the Air National Guard. General Poythress acknowledged the significant accomplishments of MG Searcy over the past four years while in command of Georgia Air National Guard. “General Searcy has led our organization with able leadership and a quiet, yet firm demeanor.” Gen Searcy returned the accolades by acknowledging the accomplishments of each of the Air Guard’s nine units. “We have had to face many challenges and changes in the Air Guard during my 37 years,” said Searcy, “and we have evolved into an integral part of the “total force” structure of today’s military”. Searcy recognized the sacrifices of many Air Guard members as he reviewed his four years as Air Guard Commander. He highlighted the recent accomplishments of each unit and emphasized that no AEF or contingency force can now deploy without the Guard. “It’s been my honor to serve with all of your. I thank you for your service. You are a great team. From Noble Eagle to Afghanistan to Iraq to G-8, the commitment and professionalism of our members are center stage,” said Searcy At the ceremonial change of command ceremonies, Maj Gen Poythress accepted the command from MG Searcy and then presented it to Brig Gen Hammond. The hour-long ceremony was followed by numerous gifts and remembrances to Searcy presented by individuals and units. Brigadier General Scott A. Hammond of Villa Rica is a native of Columbus, OH and a 1975 distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He served as Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, the Pentagon and later completed F-15 training and was assigned as an F-15 fighter pilot with the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, FL. Hammond joined the 116th Tactical Fighter Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard and between September 1989 and September 1992, served in various command capacities including instructor fighter pilot in the F-15. He served as the 116FW
Plans officer and later director of operations for HQ Georgia Air
National Guard. He returned to the 116th following the
unit’s move to Robins AFB and the unit’s transition to the B-1
bomber and was appointed Vice Wing Commander in March 1998. He
returned to HQ in May 1999 as director of operations and was later
appointed to his current position of chief of staff.
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