Griffin takes up post as 823rd RED HORSE commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Airmen, family and friends of 823rd RED HORSE gathered to witness the squadron's assumption of command ceremony at the RED HORSE compound on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 6.

Maj. Gen. H.D. "Jake" Polumbo, commander of the 9th Air Force, presided over the ceremony during which he presented the 823rd RED HORSE guidon and command of the unit to Col. John "Mike" Griffin, former commander of 35th Mission Support Group at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

The 823rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, otherwise known as RED HORSE, is a highly mobile civil engineer response force. The squadron is capable self-sustaining, rapid response and independent operations in remote, high-threat environments worldwide for 30 days.

"We expected our commanders to lead with pride and professionalism and Mike brings this leadership style I have known for a while since serving with him. He promotes a commitment to excellence and he has an impressive track record of successes around the world as a commander and deputy commander," Polumbo said. "I guarantee these qualities will be essential to you here at the 823rd and bring you all to a new level of achievement. I look forward to the continued success you all will have under his leadership."

Griffin, initially an environmental engineer, began his service in the Air Force after completing the ROTC program at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C., as distinguished graduate with Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in August 1989.

He has pursued education throughout his career, obtaining his Master of Science in Engineering and Environmental Management in 1999, attended the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Al., in 2004 and completed the Air War College by correspondence as a Excellent Graduate in 2009,

He assignments in his career including program manager for the Readiness Branch, Office of The Civil Engineer in Washington, D.C., air advisor for Afghanistan Air Force at Kabul, Afghanistan, and the chief of the Operations Division, Installations and Mission Support Directorate, Headquarters Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

"I look forward to serving with each one of you, I look forward meeting with each one of you and I am just humbled by the great Airmen I see here." Griffin said. "It's an honor for me to serve with you."