HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Col. James Slife, former 27th Special Operations Group commander at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M, took command of the 1st Special Operations Wing during a change of command ceremony at the Freedom Hangar, June 29.

Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. Michael Plehn relinquished command of the 1st SOW.

"Over the past year the men and women of the 1st SOW have flourished from the leadership of Col. Mike Plehn and I have no doubt that it will continue to flourish with Col. James Slife," said General Fiel.

During the span of Colonel Slife's 22-year career he has served more than 12 years in AFSOC, five of which were at Hurlburt Field as an MH-53J instructor pilot and later as director of operations for the 20th Special Operations Squadron.

Colonel Slife spoke with gratitude and thanks as he accepted command of the 1st SOW. He spoke of the wing's prominence in regards to viable, flexible and responsible Airmen and their importance in the world's premier Air Force.

"To the men and women of the 1st SOW, I look forward to serving with you," said Colonel Slife.

Colonel Plehn left the 1st SOW speaking accolades to the newly appointed 1st SOW commander.

"It has been the highest honor of my career being the 1st SOW commander," said Colonel Plehn. "Yet, even as I go, I leave knowing you are in the best of hands."

Under Colonel Plehn's leadership the 1st SOW contributed to special operations efforts worldwide, with nearly 8,900 combat missions flown.

Colonel Plehn, who was selected for promotion to brigadier general, is being assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., where he will be the new Theater Plans and Synchronization Element deputy director at U.S. Central Command.