New commander at Dover Air Force Base

Touted as having a proven performance record and strong leadership qualities, a new commander took the reins at Dover Air Force Base. 

Col. Michael W. Grismer, Jr. assumed command of the 436th Airlift Wing from Col. Richard G. Moore during a change of command ceremony Friday morning. 

“When you look at his record, he has cared for his airmen and their families with equality, integrity and characteristics of a true leader,” said Lt. Gen. Carlton Everhart, 18th Air Force commander, who presided over the ceremony. “There is no doubt [Grismer] is the ideal choice to lead this wing and its important worldwide mission.”

As the new commander, Grismer is responsible for the combined C-5 and C-17 wing providing worldwide movement of high-priority personnel and cargo. Dover AFB is also home to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, the Department of Defense’s largest aerial port and the Air Mobility Command Museum.

“Today the first weapon of choice in conflict or peace will increasingly involve rapid global mobility,” said Grismer. “I have no doubt Team Dover will continue to enable combat power and deliver hope whenever we are called.”

Looking forward to the opportunity, Grismer said he is “excited to join a team with a reputation and a tradition for hard work and turning challenges into opportunities.”

Grismer graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1992 and is a rated command pilot with 4,200 flight hours logged. His flight experiences include eight different aircrafts including the C-5A/B/C and C-17.

Grismer was previously the vice commander of the 3d Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Moore, who took command of Dover Air Force Base in August 2012, will serve his next assignment as the chief of Global Mobility Division at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.