7th MSG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS --  The 7th Mission Support Group received a new commander July 7 as Col. James Hammes III took command of the 7th MSG at the parade grounds. 

Colonel Hammes replaced Col. Steven Tippets, who is retiring after 27 years of service.
The new commander is taking over the 7th MSG after serving as the 7th Bomb Wing Inspector General since 2004. Colonel Hammes is also a command navigator with more than 2,500 hours in three aircraft. 

The colonel graduated from Arizona State University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree and completed officer training school in 1982. He and his wife, Jody, have four daughters, Rachel, Rebecca, Allison and Sarah. 

The colonel said moving back into a command where he gets to take care of more than 1,600 Airmen, civilians and contractors is very rewarding. The 7th MSG, which includes the 7th Communications Squadron; 7th Civil Engineer Squadron; 7th Contracting Squadron; 7th Logistics Squadron; 7th Mission Support Squadron; 7th Security Forces Squadron; and 7th Services Squadron, makes up one of the most diverse groups on Dyess, said the upstate New York native. 

“They truly are the finest people in the Air Force and do an excellent job supporting the B-1 and C-130 mission,” he said. 

He said while he appreciates their support role, the thing that separates the group from the other squadrons on base is their high visibility. 

“Every day, everyone on base is reached out to by one of our squadrons,” Colonel Hammes said. “Because they touch numerous people every day, they are challenged to meet the highest professional standards.” 

The 7th MSG not only does a support mission, but they are also war fighters, he said.
“We currently have personnel deployed all around the world doing a war-fighting role,” Colonel Hammes said. 

While serving as the 7th MSG commander, Colonel Hammes plans to focus on communications, which he says is a key aspect for 7th MSG personnel. Whether it is personal or professional, it’s critical that the Airmen of the 7th MSG work on it every day, he said. 

“My wife and I truly are happy to remain at Dyess,” Colonel Hammes said. “The Air Force has been a great way of life for my family. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
By Senior Airman Joel Mease 

The 7th Mission Support Group received a new commander July 7 as Col. James Hammes III took command of the 7th MSG at the parade grounds. 

Colonel Hammes replaced Col. Steven Tippets, who is retiring after 27 years of service.
The new commander is taking over the 7th MSG after serving as the 7th Bomb Wing Inspector General since 2004. Colonel Hammes is also a command navigator with more than 2,500 hours in three aircraft. 

The colonel graduated from Arizona State University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree and completed officer training school in 1982. He and his wife, Jody, have four daughters, Rachel, Rebecca, Allison and Sarah. 

The colonel said moving back into a command where he gets to take care of more than 1,600 Airmen, civilians and contractors is very rewarding. The 7th MSG, which includes the 7th Communications Squadron; 7th Civil Engineer Squadron; 7th Contracting Squadron; 7th Logistics Squadron; 7th Mission Support Squadron; 7th Security Forces Squadron; and 7th Services Squadron, makes up one of the most diverse groups on Dyess, said the upstate New York native. 

“They truly are the finest people in the Air Force and do an excellent job supporting the B-1 and C-130 mission,” he said. 

He said while he appreciates their support role, the thing that separates the group from the other squadrons on base is their high visibility. 

“Every day, everyone on base is reached out to by one of our squadrons,” Colonel Hammes said. “Because they touch numerous people every day, they are challenged to meet the highest professional standards.” 

The 7th MSG not only does a support mission, but they are also war fighters, he said.
“We currently have personnel deployed all around the world doing a war-fighting role,” Colonel Hammes said. 

While serving as the 7th MSG commander, Colonel Hammes plans to focus on communications, which he says is a key aspect for 7th MSG personnel. Whether it is personal or professional, it’s critical that the Airmen of the 7th MSG work on it every day, he said. 

“My wife and I truly are happy to remain at Dyess,” Colonel Hammes said. “The Air Force has been a great way of life for my family. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”