Barksdale, 2nd Bomb Wing welcomes new commander

Published July 26, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Col. Timothy Fay assumed command of the 2nd Bomb Wing from Col. Steven Basham in an change-of-command ceremony at Hoban Hal July 19.

Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, 8th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony.

"It is an honor to be back serving for the mighty deuce and the war-fighting Airmen here," said Colonel Fay.

Colonel Fay started his career at Barksdale in May 1989 serving as an executive officer and B-52 pilot with the 596th Bomb Squadron and returned again in November 2007 as the 2nd Operations Group commander.

I'm grateful to be afforded the opportunity to build upon the foundation of excellence here at Barksdale, said Colonel Fay.

Under the previous dedicated command of Colonel Basham, the 2nd BW earned success during multiple inspections and ensured the wing's combat capabilities remained ready at all times, said General Carpenter.

Colonel Fay is taking on an amazing responsibility, said General Carpenter. "I know that he will meet this duty head-on."

"I'm extremely pleased to be able to fly, fight and win with the men and women of the 2nd BW," said Colonel Fay.

Colonel Fay graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., in 1987, after receiving a bachelor's degree and being named a distinguished graduate. Since then, the colonel has to attained four master's degrees and more military and civilian educational achievements, including being named a distinguished graduate in 2005 at the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C.

Most recently, Colonel Fay served as the director, strategic communication division U.S. Forces-Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq. Colonel Fay is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours, to include time flown on both the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft.

He has served in Operations Desert Storm, Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.