Cunningham takes over 1st SOCPTS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron held a change of command ceremony at the Soundside Club on Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 12.

Lt. Col. Derron Mirro passed the 1st SOCPTS guidon to Col. William West, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, who then presented the guidon to Maj. James Cunningham, the incoming 1st SOCPTS commander.

1st SOCPTS is a 1st SOW staff agency which manages the financial business of Hurlburt Field. Its award-winning financial professionals strive for continuous, courteous and accurate customer service while providing peacetime and wartime support to all members world-wide.

"It's my honor to serve the 1st Special Operations Wing and it will certainly be an experience I will never forget," Mirro said. "At every echelon it takes teamwork to succeed, and I have been extremely blessed these past two years with a phenomenal group of individuals at every level."

Mirro will be headed to the Air Force Special Operations Command Financial Manager, where he will be the chief of the financial analysis division at Hurlburt Field Air Force base in Florida.

Mirro is relieved by Cunningham who enlisted in the Air Force in 1994 after high school and earned his commission after graduating from Officer Training School in 2001.
 
"I'm sure excited and very thankful to be here," Cunningham said "I can't believe that after 19 years in the Air Force I finally get to be part of this incredible mission here at the [1st Special Operations Wing]."

He has served in a variety of roles including budget analyst, weapon system cost estimator, and student at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force base before taking over command here on Hurlburt Field.

As the ceremony concluded, the Air Commandos sang the Air Force song and had refreshments with their new and previous commanders.

"To my comptroller family, I've heard all the great things about you and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work," Cunningham said.