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By Hicham Raache - Times Record

Col. Mark W. Anderson took the reigns of the 188th Fighter Wing during a change-of-command ceremony Saturday, attended by military personnel and political leaders.

“You are blessed,” Anderson said to scores of members of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing in attendance in uniform at the hangar of the Ebbing Air National Guard Base. “The 188th is an amazing unit. It’s your spirit, courage and enthusiasm that carries through to future (members of the 188th).”

Anderson’s address to Guard members past and present, political leaders and community members was delivered after Col. Thomas I. Anderson, who had served as commander of the Fighter Wing since May 7, 2006, officially passed command duties to him during the ceremony.

“Thank you for your tireless services to the 188th and for your great service to the state of Arkansas,” Mark Anderson said to his predecessor during the address.

Mark Anderson had served as the vice commander of the Fighter Wing. As vice commander, Anderson formulated, planned and provided staff input for operations, deployment, maintenance and support policies, and provided leadership on flying safety for the A-10C Thunderbolt II flying program.

Brig. Gen. Travis D. Balch, commander of the Arkansas Air National Guard, said Mark Anderson will flourish as the 188th’s new leader.

“His work has demonstrated he is very good at what he does,” Balch said. “His performance has been outstanding.”

Balch, a Fort Smith native who once served as the 189th Airlift wing commander, spoke of the significance of the wing commander role.

“Being a wing commander is a privilege and honor; the mission of the wing commander is sacred,” he said. “It is imperative he lead with integrity — he is the face of the organization.”

Balch also lauded Thomas Anderson’s steadfast command of the 188th.

“Under Tom’s command, the Wing has maintained its strength at or above 100 percent,” Balch said.

The outgoing commander thanked the men and women he has led for the past six years.

“It has been a distinct privilege and honor to serve the men and women of the 188th Fighter Wing,” Thomas Anderson said. “It is (your) dedication, service before self and excellence that has allowed you to succeed.”

Lt. Col. Tim Eddins, operations group commander for the 188th, said he has known Thomas Anderson for 20 years.

“He’s a good commander and a good friend, and I have a lot of respect for him,” he said.

Eddins said Thomas Anderson was instrumental in the process of converting from F-16s to A-10 “Warthogs” in 2005, thus keeping the 188th functional.

“He came up with a plan,” Eddins said. “He’s a big reason we have these airplanes.”

Eddins also said he has long known the new commander, Mark Anderson. Anderson’s vision and strong organizational ability will make him a good wing commander, Eddins said.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, attended the ceremony.

“I know Mark and Tom both,” Womack said. “They are typical commanders: Professional, competent, gifted, passionate and solid in every way. They lead by example.”

The 188th Fighter Wing, Womack said, is exemplary.

“It’s arguably one of the most accomplished and successful fighter wings in all of the Air Force,” Womack said.

Approximately 75 members of the 188th Fighter Wing are currently deployed in Afghanistan. Hundreds more are set to be deployed through the summer, with a total deployment of approximately 400 wing members, Mark Anderson said.

A concern that Mark Anderson said he will work to address is the possibility that the mission and aircraft of the 188th will change from the A-10s flown by 188th pilots to unmanned, remote piloted aircraft. The conversion, Anderson said, is a part of President Barack Obama’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget.

“The bad thing about that is it’s a reduction in man power,” Anderson said.

Anderson said he encourages Arkansas political leaders to prevent the conversion to remote piloted aircraft.

“Our Congressional delegation is very engaged,” he said. “We have all the support of the entire Arkansas Congressional Delegation.”

Also on Anderson’s agenda: Promoting the 188th.

“We’ve been the best kept secret in the Air National Guard for a long time,” he said. “(My goal) is to get the message out so people know about us a bit more and about our capabilities in Fort Smith, Ark.”