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News

460th Space Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 460th Space Wing welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony here July 11.

Col. Daniel A. Dant accepted command from 14th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Susan J. Helms in front of an audience of family, community members and 460th Space Wing personnel.

In opening comments, Helms thanked Col. Trent Pickering for his hard work and dedication to the 460th Space Wing while taking on the responsibility of interim wing commander. She also welcomed Dant and his family to Air Force Space Command and Colorado.

Upon acceptance of command, Dant said, "It is an honor to serve with this outstanding wing."

"Given the level of his previous assignments and observed performance it is obvious that senior leaders at the highest level have faith in his ability to carry the command with ease... and I echo this confidence," said Helms.

"There is no one more deserving of this challenge today than Col. Dan Dant. He is uniquely qualified to lead the 460th as they continue to develop into formidable, knowledgeable space warriors. In his distinguished career his work and decisions have had an impact nationwide."

Prior to assuming his current position, Dant served as Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellow with duty as the Director of Space Policy for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for policy.

His staff assignments include duties as the commander of the weapons and tactics flight for the 21st Space Wing and speechwriter for the commander of Air Force Space Command, commander in chief NORAD, and commander in chief Space Command. He served as the aide-de-camp to the commander, AFSPC. Dant has also commanded at the flight and squadron levels.

"He has excelled, facing the toughest challenges and I have no doubt he will continue to do so as he takes the men and women of the 460th to the next level," said Helms. "I cannot think of a better person to lead this critical mission: to inspire the Airmen, civilians, and mission partners that support our wartime operations."

Dant offered a pledge to the men and women of the 460th Space Wing, base partners and the local community. "I pledge to work for you. I pledge to trust commanders and senior enlisted to do their jobs. I pledge to enforce standards and quickly and consistently act when they are violated. I pledge to change what isn't working, but minimizing dead bodies and broken glass along the way. And I plan to be 100 percent committed to our Airmen and our families."

Finally, Dant left us with his favorite quote by Gen. Robert E. Lee, "Duty, then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less."

For Col. Dant's full biography: http://www.buckley.af.mil/library/biographies/index.asp


For additional information please contact 2nd Lt. Rachel Freeman at the Public Affairs office at 720-847-9431 or Rachel.Freeman@buckley.af.mil.

 

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