SFS welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Maj. Brett M. Skates took command of the 66th Security Forces Squadron during a change of command ceremony at the Minuteman Commons here June 23.

Col. Roman L. Hund, 66th Air Base Group commander, presided over the ceremony, in which Maj. Joseph A. Bincarousky relinquished command.

“Our Air Force selects the most capable, trustworthy and dedicated officers for command,” said Hund. “It is an honor bestowed on those we truly believe live the core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence. I’m proud to say we have two of those true leaders sitting with us here today in Lt. Col.-select Joe Bincarousky and Maj. Brett Skates.”

Skates career has spanned a wide range of assignments and locations since commissioning in 2005.

Most recently, he served as the commander of the 821st Security Forces Squadron at Thule Air Base, Greenland.

After highlighting Bincarousky’ s tenure at Hanscom, which included winning Best Small Security Forces Unit in the Air Force last year, Hund spoke about his confidence in the squadron’s new commander.

“Major Skates has all the credentials you’d want in a defense force commander,” he said. “I expect you to continue to build on Joe’s success and show this squadron what it can do.”

Skates will lead a team of SFS Airmen and Department of the Air Force civilian police in the security of Hanscom AFB. He will advise the installation commander on all matters of security, law enforcement and force protection, ensuring the safety of 10,000 employees and residents.

During his remarks to members of the squadron and to the outgoing commander, the new commander spoke about the responsibility of taking command of an accomplished squadron.

“You [Bincarousky] and the squadron have laid an incredible foundation of success that I intend to continue building upon,” he said. “As we move into the next year, I intend for this unit to continue to be looked upon as the premier security forces unit in the Air Force, recognized for our excellence, professionalism and discipline.”

Before relinquishing command of the squadron, Hund presented Bincarousky with the Meritorious Service Medal.

During his remarks to members of the squadron and others, Bincarousky highlighted the men and women who work for the squadron.

“They are the best at taking care of the best, looking out for each other, cultivating leaders, developing talent and professionalism,” said Bincarousky, who added he was a little intimidated when he first took command in August 2015.

Bincarousky will temporarily serve as the group’s deputy commander until he moves to Belgium later this summer to be an advisor to the United States ambassador to NATO.