Global Vikings Welcome New Wing Commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. William-Joseph Mojica
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  The Global Vikings of the 934th Airlift Wing, Minnesota's only Air Force Reserve unit, welcomed their new wing commander Jan. 9.

Col. Anthony G. Polashek took command of the wing during an Assumption of Command ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, Air Force Reserve Command.

With Polashek having a background as a C-130 Hercules pilot who spent his last few assignments outside of the C-130 community, Harris opened her remarks by first speaking of family.

"Welcome home to family.  Welcome back home to the mighty Hercules family," she said.  "You have the opportunity now to directly and positively impact the more than 1,400 men and women of the 934th Airlift Wing--your new family."

Speaking to the entire wing for the first time, Polashek was reminiscent of his past.

"I can't tell you what it means to me, to see this right here because this takes me right back to my root.  There is no unit out there, in the entire Air Force, that resembles where I came from as much as this unit," Polashek said.

Polashek is excited to now be with the 934th Airlift Wing and he looks forward to the numerous opportunities to come.

"I am very proud to be part of this unit.  My entire focus is going to be on helping you be better personally and as a unit.  That's my job and that's my responsibility and I'm overjoyed to have the opportunity to do that.  It's an honor and a privilege," he explained.

With all of the accolades that the 934th Airlift Wing has accomplished, Polashek hopes to continue down the path of success.

"I get very fired up about this command, this unit, the people in this unit and our future," he said.  "I have a lot of goals but the biggest one is to try to help, in every way I can, the 934th continue to be a great unit and to help our Airmen develop at their highest potential."