CEG commander takes reins after year in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  A 1989 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute took the reins of the 18th Civil Engineer Group during a ceremony July 29 in Kadena's AWACS hangar.

Colonel Brian Duffy, who comes to Kadena from Afghanistan, where he was the Deputy Commander, Joint Force Engineer Command, Headquarters United States Forces-Afghanistan, replaces Col. R. Scott Jarvis, who departs Kadena for Headquarters, United States Air Forces Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander, presided over the ceremony and provided parting words for Colonel Jarvis and welcoming words for Colonel Duffy.

"The track record of excellence is clear," the general said. "The professionals of the 18th Civil Engineer Group deserve the credit for these awards and the success of the CE Group. But Scooter, you have been the right guy to lead this group, to provide the vision and the strategic direction to make great things happen."

The general then welcomed in Colonel Duffy, who just 12 days prior was completing his year-long tour in Afghanistan.

"Brian, you've got another huge job ahead of you," General Wilsbach said, "but you were selected for this command because you've got the skills, the experience and the vision to lead this group to bigger and better things."

Colonel Duffy acknowledged the accomplishments of his new group.

"Engineers, your accomplishments here at Kadena and throughout the world are legendary," Colonel Duffy said. "I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside you as we tackle the challenges that the future will bring."

The colonel added that the talents and professionalism of Air Force engineers are making incredible impression not only on leadership in the International Security Assistance Force, but also on NATO's Afghan partners. He added that he saw similarities in the jointness between military services here in Okinawa that he experienced in Afghanistan.

"As I look at our partnerships with our Marine brothers at various camps on the island," he said, "significant Army organizations such as the 10th Support Group and 1-1 ADA, and our Navy CFAO partners, it's almost as if nothing's changed."

Colonel Jarvis, who arrived to Kadena two years ago, offered heartfelt words to not only the men and women of the 18 CEG, but to all of Kadena and Okinawa.

"Given the global reputation of the mighty Shoguns and the vital interest our nation places on the western Pacific, there is no other place we would have rather served, than right here in Okinawa," Colonel Jarvis said. "To have the sacred opportunity to command the most renowned engineer unit in our air force, has been something I never took for granted and a privilege I knew I would have to reluctantly relinquish some day."