March Air Reserve Base, Calif. -- Brig. Gen. Derin S. Durham assumed command of Fourth Air Force during a ceremony here September 10.
Lt. Gen. John Healy, Air Force Reserve Command commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve, presided over the ceremony and had some words of advice and encouragement for Durham as the new Fourth Air Force commander.
“You assume command of the Air Force Reserve’s largest numbered Air Force today,” Healy said. “Know that your actions will affect everything else in the command. I expect you to continue to do the same things that got you here. Your leadership qualities of openness, transparency and patience, along with the equal application of rules will continue to serve you well while advancing our strategic priorities of readiness and transformation.”
Durham assumed command from Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Pennington, who is now serving as AFRC’s deputy commander. Pennington served as Fourth Air Force commander from April 2020 to August of this year.
As the new commander, Durham will have full responsibility for 34,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen across 18 wings and one regional support group. Durham is the 39th commander of Fourth Air Force.
Durham said he plans on focusing on the fundamentals. “What’s fundamental to a Reservist” It’s time,” he said. “The time spent here, the time spent away from your employer and the time spent away from your family. Fundamentally, if you’re spending time here with me doing the mission of the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, I want it to be value-added for both you and for the nation, because ultimately that’s what we’re here to do – provide readiness and strategic depth with operational capability for the nation. I will make informed, resourceful decisions, and I will balance risk across wings and mission areas.”
In his closing remarks, Durham made a promise to Healy and Fourth Air Force Reservists.
“I will deliver critical resources at the time and speed of need,” he said. “I will ensure Fourth Air Force wings produce detailed annual wing training, manning and financial plans. And, I and my staff will validate the readiness of all of our subordinate units.”