21st FS welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Miki Giloon
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - --  Two nations came together during a 21st Fighter Squadron change of command ceremony Sept. 7 to farewell the legacy forged by one commander while welcoming the
future leadership of another. 

Lt. Col. Dennis Malfer, 21st Fighter Squadron commander, relinquished command
to Lt. Col. James Sturgeon. 

According to Colonel Malfer, the highlight of his command was the opportunity to
lead individuals from all walks of life. "Being able to command a great squadron was
an honor and pleasure," he said. "Working with a different nation had its challenges,
but being able to combine the two and understand what they needed to ensure they
were getting proper training and education was rewarding." 

Col. Robert Givens, 56th Operations Group Commander and officiator of the ceremony, said that Colonel Malfer's natural leadership smoothly forged the officers of two different air forces into one outstanding squadron. The 21st FS is unique such that it is a Foreign Military Sales squadron that has trained Taiwan pilots since January 1997 under the Congressionally-approved Peace Fenghuang program in 1992. 

"For the Gamblers, it is necessary not only to take the best talent, but also the best of two cultures and form them into a cohesive unit in an effort to accomplish the mission, and
Colonel Malfer has done that successfully," Colonel Givens said. 

Colonel Sturgeon, after accepting the guidon, stated that the opportunity to serve as the new 21st FS commander was a dream come true. "Thank you for entrusting me with an outstanding squadron," he said. "I will continue to carry out its traditions and look forward to working with you as we train the world's greatest fighter pilots." 

Of Colonel Sturgeon taking command, Colonel Givens said that the next couple of
years will define his time as a commander. 

"Carry that guidon high before you and lead the way," he said. "You are the point at which our two cultures meet with the common goal for producing airpower." 

Colonel Sturgeon is a command pilot with more than 2,500 hours, 1,500 of those in the
F-16. Prior to his assignment to Luke, he served in Checkmate as the STRATCOM/NORTHCOM/SOCOM branch chief at the Pentagon. 

Colonel Malfer is a command pilot with more than 4,400 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, F-4, F-15E and F-16. He will remain at Luke and serve as the 56th Operations Group deputy commander.