By Mike Finney

DOVER — Col. Matthew Husemann admits that Dover Air Force Base has always had a soft spot in he and his family’s hearts after serving two other stints in his career at the 436th Airlift Wing.

So, when Maj. Gen. Kenneth T. Bibb Jr. presented Col. Husemann with the 436th Airlift Wing guidon, signifying the beginning of his role as the “Eagle Wing’s” 36th commander during an Assumption of Command Ceremony inside Aircraft Hangar Building 706 at Dover AFB on Friday morning, the colonel already knew a great deal about the things that are awaiting him in his new role.

Col. Husemann returns to Dover AFB for the third time in his career, having previously served as a C-5M Super Galaxy evaluator aircraft commander with the 9th Airlift Squadron, an operations officer with the 436th Operations Support Squadron and as commander of both the 436th Force Support and 9th Airlift Squadrons.

Now, it is his turn to oversee everything that goes on inside of the fences around Dover’s mammoth air base.

“Dover is special because of the bond that this community has all the way across Delaware, whether that’s from congressional support that we have all the way down to the local support, not just from leaders, but from our neighbors,” Col. Husemann said. “We are integrated into this community so well and that’s the part that is so special to my family, because it’s a family atmosphere and we love it so much. We are so excited to be back here.”

He was greeted by Sen. Tom Carper, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, representatives from Sen. Chris Coon’s office, Air Force dignitaries, as well as family and friends.

Maj. Gen. Bibb, commander of the 18th Air Force at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, said he has known Col. Husemann for more than 20 years, first meeting him as an instructor at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

“You’re the right leader at the right place at the right time,” Maj. Gen. Bibb said to Col. Husemann. “Matt was born in Ohio near Dayton and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and he grew up loving baseball, airplanes, and, of course, Ohio State football.”

He then looked back and addressed the many airmen clad in their dress-blue uniforms and standing in formation in front of a parked C-5 Galaxy and C-17 outside of the hangar.

“Airmen of the 436th, your incoming commander has a long and distinguished list of accomplishments that uniquely qualify him to lead you,” Maj. Gen. Bibb said. “Matt, with your proven skill and ability I have every confidence your airmen will reach new heights. To all airmen present – active, guard, reserve and civilian – thanks for your service and for your sacrifice. We all know what’s on the line.

“Our job is to defend the nation against a multitude of threats. You are the heart and soul of a lethal and ready force that ensures America’s continued prosperity and defense. I am so proud of what this wing does every day. Together we serve, and together we sacrifice. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Col. Husemann most recently served as vice commander of the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

The 436th Airlift Wing was previously led by Col. Matthew Jones from January 2020 until May 2021, when he departed to lead the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

“General Bibb, sir, it is an honor to be back in Dover with you today,” said Col. Husemann. “Thank you for the trust and confidence that you have in our leadership to work for these amazing airmen. It is truly a privilege to serve them.

“I want to say, ‘Thank you,’ to the Joneses. It is an honor to come in and to command after them. They’re dedication and commitment to this community, to these airmen and their families, and to grow and strengthen that bond that we have with this amazing Dover community.”

Col. Husemann previously served at Dover in the early 2000s and was the commander of the 9th Airlift Squadron from August 2014 until July 2016. He has accumulated numerous major awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusters.

He noted that even though he has been in Germany for the past two-plus years, Dover still has a familiar feel to it.

“Dover is not foreign to us,” Col. Husemann said to the airmen at the ceremony. “We’ve had the opportunity to work with the community and work for the Dover airmen, but we will not pretend to know the specifics of your current mission.

“We have watched you from across the globe execute with precision and poise and professionalism and integrity. Dover airmen are known for making the impossible possible, and you make it look easy.”

Col. Husemann said that his wife Sarah and his daughters Claire and Audrey are also excited about returning to a familiar place.

“I’ll tell you that that special bond is what Sarah, the girls, and I love about coming back home to our family in Dover,” he said. “So, my family, thank you for your strength and I love you. To my extended family that goes near and far, to join the Air Force community of friends, thank you for your love and support.

“History can inform the future, but the future is bright not just for the Air Force in Dover and our airmen, but also for across the globe as we come out of this pandemic, and we learn how it is to do things smarter and go forward.”