Farewell to a great leader; thanks to this week’s standouts Published Jan. 28, 2011 By Col. Lenny Richoux 6th Air Mobility Wing commander MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- I want to thank you for the support I've seen you giving each other after the sudden passing of our Maintenance Group Commander, Col. David Haar. Thanks for the support you've given Colonel Haar's family-his wife Teri, and his daughters, Melissa and Elizabeth when they truly needed it. Dave was my friend and he was a standout father, son, husband, officer and commander. He served our nation well, and we will miss him terribly. He meant a lot to us, and with the Operational Readiness Inspection he and the 6th Maintenance Group did remarkably hard work to make sure we were inspection ready. Colonel Haar's memorial service will be held Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. in Hangar 3 here on the base. About 650 of MacDill's Airmen are returning from the ORI deployment site in Savannah. They were tested on their ability to survive, operate and launch/recover aircraft. The inspection in Savannah began Jan. 22. Col. Dave Cohen, 6th AMW vice commander and Col. Ted Mathews, 927th ARW, vice commander did an exceptional job integrating the active-duty and reserve components. Their hard work has raised the bar on our readiness. All deployers are expected back at MacDill by Saturday morning, in time for Gasparilla. Be safe and take care of one another as we relax and recover. You've heard me ask you to take care of each other before, but continue practicing being good wingmen for each other. Human capital is irreplaceable. I appreciate the leadership that's being demonstrated and I encourage you to keep the same momentum and esprit-de-corps. Thanks for attending last week's ORI kick-off pep rally with Mr. Raheem Morris, head coach for the Tampa Bay Bucs. We had a great time. Thanks to all the Airmen, especially Master Sgt. Bryan Gatewood, who had a part in setting that up and making it a success. Another shout-out goes to the 6th Medical Group's Mr. Bert Gore, the acting Clinical Laboratory Flight commander, for recently completing Air Command and Staff College-another example of excellence from the 6th MDG. Thanks also to the Wing Protocol Team, Ms. Cleo Ekladyous, Mr. Brian Stevens, Tech. Sgt. Tracy Bisarra and Tech. Sgt. Michelle Jeffries, who planned a visit by the 18th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice. General Allardice visited MacDill to offer condolences to the Haar family. I am proud to serve with you in the finest Air Mobility Wing on the face of the planet!