KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- In a Sept. 1 change-of-command ceremony here, Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Feest assumed command of the Air Force Safety Center from Maj. Gen. Frederick F. Roggero.

About 200 people, including commanders and other Airmen from across Team Kirtland, family members, community leaders and friends, attended the ceremony.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over the change of command. In his comments, he highlighted AFSC's performance under the leadership of General Roggero, and welcomed the safety center's new commander.

"You have demonstrated outstanding leadership as a commander, and as you step into your new role, I am confident that you too will excel," General Schwartz said of General Feest.

General Roggero took the opportunity to recognize the men and women of the safety center.

"I was and still am humbled by the opportunity to save lives and preserve the combat capability of the Air Force," he said. The general also acknowledged the support from leadership across the Air Force and emphasized that "safety is about leadership, attitude and communication."

General Feest spoke on the center's commitment to the safety, security and well-being of Airmen and Air Force families.

"We will continue to build existing programs and initiate new programs that reach out to our Airmen," said the general.

He also reaffirmed that preventing mishaps and preserving combat capabilities is the center's top priority and closed by saying to the safety center staff, "I can think of no greater privilege than to be your commander."

Before assuming command, General Feest was the commander of 19th Air Force at Randolph AFB, Texas.

The general's career began with his commission through the ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., in 1978. Since then, he has held a variety of flying assignments, including command of the operations and maintenance of one of only two operational F-117A Nighthawk squadrons. He also commanded the 479th Flying Training Group at Moody AFB, Ga., and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia.

His staff assignments include serving as an Air Force liaison officer to the U.S. Senate, senior military assistant to the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Deputy Director of Requirements at Headquarters Air Combat Command.

The general also served as the Air Education and Training Command's Director of Logistics, Installations, and Mission Support, and was the Deputy Director for Force Application, Directorate of Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

The general is a command pilot with more than 5,400 flying hours, including more than 800 combat hours during Operations Just Cause, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.