U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- Members of the 457th Fighter Squadron welcomed Lt. Col. David “Shave” Snodgrass as their new commander during a change of command ceremony on September 12, 2021 at U.S. Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
Col. Benjamin “Marsa” Harrison, 301st Fighter Wing Operations Group commander, was the ceremony's presiding official where Snodgrass officially took command of the 457 FS from Lt. Col. Charles “Merge” Huber.
“Thank you in advance for your continued support as you accept command today, Shave," said Harrison. "I look forward to the opportunity to be working with you as you continue strengthening the organization. I look forward to the great things your team will be able to accomplish today, tomorrow, this year, for the next decade, and for the next generation. Thank you.”
Huber then shared parting words with the 457 FS.
“To the Spads [457 FS nickname], this squadron is unlike any other in the Air Force," Huber said. "Our squadron is a collection of the finest human beings gathered together in one place. Warriors, patriots, selfless souls of different backgrounds and beliefs, the Spads represent everything that is good and possible in an increasingly troubled world. We have raised our families together. We have suffered loss. We have earned victories as a team. We have spent time in miserable places and in beautiful locations. Together. We have celebrated success and failure as a team, but more importantly, as a family.”
After assuming command of the 457 FS, Snodgrass addressed his new Airmen.
“Thank you all. It is a privilege to serve in the 457 FS. Thank you for your support. I would like to thank the alumni staff that are here today, thanks for building and maintaining a great fighter squadron, and for passing it down to us,” said Snodgrass. “ Additionally, I would like to thank all the maintainers and operational support squadron members that are here today. Without your tireless efforts to keep our 36 year old aircraft safely flying, keeping our life support gear perfectly prepared, or the countless other vital tasks, Spad pilots would be grounded. Thank you for what you do.”
Prior to becoming the squadron commander, Snodgrass served as the director of operations for the 457 FS.