7th OG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The former director of operations, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., assumed command of the 7th Operations Group May 22 from the 7th Bomb Wing commander during a change of command ceremony at the Three-Bay Hanger here. 

Colonel John C. Valle replaced Col. Scott Vander Hamm, who has been selected for assignment as the 28th Bomb Wing commander at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. 

"Our family has really enjoyed the Dyess-Abilene community, and I think Colonel Valle will find that Abilene will fit his families needs whether large or small," Colonel Vander Hamm said.  

This is the St. Louis native's second assignment to Team Dyess. He was previously stationed here from September 1987 to April 1988, for B-1 weapons systems officer training. 

"Our family has been coming through Dyess since 1987, and now its 20 years later and I get the opportunity to command the 7th OG," Colonel Valle said. "All across the Air Force you hear nothing but great things about the relationship between Dyess and Abilene. I think its really hard for people to understand unless they had been here before and left to really appreciate it, like our family has." 

During Colonel Valle's stay, he says his No. 1 priority will be to get Airmen ready for deployment and showcase the B-1 in the forward operating location. 

"The B-1 is one of the premier weapons platforms in fighting the Global War on Terrorism," Colonel Valle said. "I look forward to working with the men and women of the 7th OG to accomplish our mission." 

Colonel Valle received his commission from the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Missouri at Columbia, while obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and Science. He has a Master of Arts and Science, human resource development, from Webster University. 

The colonel has more than 3,000 flying hours in the B-52G and the B-1 and is a command navigator. 

His major awards and decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and a Combat Readiness Medal with three oak leaf clusters.