New commander takes charge of the 512th Rescue Squadron

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dana Bochte (right), 512th Rescue Squadron commander, receives command of the 512 RQS from U.S. Air Force Col. Richard Carrell, 58th Operations Group commander during the 512th RQS change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., May 23, 2019. The mission of the 512 RQS is to prepare mission-ready aircrew for personnel recovery, nuclear enterprise security and support, and distinguished visitor airlift at operational units across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

New commander takes charge of the 512th Rescue Squadron

Members of the 512th Rescue Squadron stand at attention during the 512th RQS change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., May 23, 2019. The mission of the 512 RQS is to prepare mission-ready aircrew for personnel recovery, nuclear enterprise security and support, and distinguished visitor airlift at operational units across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

New commander takes charge of the 512th Rescue Squadron

Col. Richard Carrell, 58th Operations Group commander, speaks to members of the 512th Rescue Squadron during the 512th RQS change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., May 23, 2019. The mission of the 512 RQS is to prepare mission-ready aircrew for personnel recovery, nuclear enterprise security and support, and distinguished visitor airlift at operational units across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

New commander takes charge of the 512th Rescue Squadron

Lt. Col. Andrew Gray, former 512th Rescue Squadron commander, renders a final salute during the 512th RQS change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., May 23, 2019. The mission of the 512 RQS is to prepare mission-ready aircrew for personnel recovery, nuclear enterprise security and support, and distinguished visitor airlift at operational units across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

New commander takes charge of the 512th Rescue Squadron

Published May 29, 2019
By Staff Sgt. Dylan Nuckolls
Kirtland Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --

Lt. Col. Dana Bochte took command of the 512th Rescue Squadron during a change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., May 23, 2019.

The Air Force change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another.

Col. Richard Carrell, 58th Operations Group commander, presided and challenged Bochte to continue to build upon the squadron’s success.

“I challenge you to build upon the progress you and Andy [outgoing commander Lt. Col. Andrew Gray] have made; keep it going to greater heights,” said Carrell. “I have full faith in you and know that you will do well--congratulations.”

Bochte takes command of the 512 RQS from Gray after serving as the squadron’s operations officer. The squadron flies the UH-1N Huey and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The mission of the 512 RQS is to prepare mission-ready aircrew for personnel recovery, nuclear enterprise security and support, and distinguished visitor airlift at operational units across the Air Force.

“To the flying skulls of the 512 RQS: I am so honored to have the opportunity to lead you and this organization,” said Bochte. “You have accomplished amazing things over the past two years.”