Dickinson assumes Keesler command Published May 27, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Publiuc Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Fifteen years after his first tour of Keeslerfor advanced communication officer training,Col. Ian Dickinson returned Tuesday toassume command of the 81st Training Wing. The colonel, who was nominated for pro¬motion to brigadier general earlier this month,assumed command Tuesday from Maj. Gen.Alfred Flowers, 2nd Air Force commander, as Col. Christopher Valle looked on. Colonel Valle commanded the wing for thepast seven weeks after Brig. Gen. GregTouhillleftfor his new assignment in Kuwait as Chief,Office of Military Cooperation, U.S. CentralCommand. Colonel Dickinson noted the extensive modernization since his previous assignment at Keesler in 1994, "not just for the historical mission of the 81st Training Wing has had in training, particularly in electronics, but in our future missions. "We are training our Airmen today for tomorrow's challenges as part of the Air Force's training continuum," Colonel Dickinson said. "Keesler has been the key for nearly 70 years now, supported by a wonderful community." General Flowers, the presiding officer, pointed out, "The wing didn't miss a beat in seven weeks under Chris Valle's leadership -- you graduated 3,032 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, you pressed for-ward with nearly a billion dol-lars in construction and host¬ed Special Olympics. And you continued to foster thepositive community relationswe hold so dear." In welcoming Colonel Dickinson to his new duties, the general stated, "My guidance and advice to you is to lead from the front -- take care of your Airmen and their families, take care of the mission every day, and leave Keesler better than you found it."