721st Contingency Response Squadron stands up at Travis

Staff Sgt. Scott Warner

621 CONTINGENCY RESPONSE

WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE —

The 621st Contingency Response Wing held an assumption of command ceremony for the standup of a brand new unit, the 721st Contingency Response Squadron, on Jan. 12 at Travis Air Force Base.

Formerly the 6th Air Refueling Wing’s chief of safety, Lt. Col. D. Gifford Bloom spoke about how proud he is to become the new 721st Contingency Response Squadron commander.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this organization,” Bloom said. “This is the culmination of a long and arduous process, from the decision to add a squadron, to where we are today. I am thankful for the incredible help we have received from throughout the wing and for the exceptional work done by the initial cadre in building the squadron.”

The 721st Contingency Response Squadron accomplishes quick-turn aircraft maintenance, airfield management, passenger and cargo movement in any environment at any given time. In addition to that, they perform command and control of personnel, aircraft, supplies, threat assessment, force protection, air traffic control, weather, airfield systems maintenance, finance and contracting.

The assumption of command is an official military tradition that bestows command responsibility of a unit to the commanding officer. It is traditionally done in front of members of the unit, allowing each person to observe the placement of authority and responsibility onto the new commander and is symbolized through the passing of the unit’s guidon.

The exchanging of the guidon dates back in military history to the 18th century. The flag served as a rallying point, and as a reminder of a military