The White Falcon - 11.06.1999, Side 1

White Falcon
Vol. 58 No. 22
Now online at www.nctskef.navy.mil/IDF
June 11, 1999
56th Rescue Squadron holds change of command
Story and photo by J03 Mike C. Jones
Lt. Col. Richard W. Leibach assumed command of the 85th
Group’s 56th Rescue Squadron from Lt. Col. William J. Dunn, Jr. at
a ceremony on base last Friday.
Dunn and his family will depart Keflavlk for MacDill AFB, Fla.
where he will serve as U.S. Special Operations Command’s Regional
Staff Officer.
Before relinquishing command, Dunn was presented the
Meritorious Service Medal by 85th Group Commander Col. Michael
C. Henchey.
Speaking at the ceremony, Henchey remarked the squadron has
come a long way since Dunn assumed command two years ago.
“There have been many improvements within the squadron -
improvements in maintenance and operations. Receiving the
Maintenance Award in 1997 is a particularly noteworthy event.”
During his departing speech, Dunn said the squadron continuously
strived to better its performance. “Two years ago when I assumed
command, I made the following statement: ‘In order for us to raise
the standard together, we have to be the best and we have to expect
the best,”’ he said. “(56 RQS) has proved it time and time again ...
they are the best.”
Prior to assuming command of 56 RQS, Leibach served as the
Col. Michael Henchey (far left), 85th Group commander, passes
the 56th Rescue Squadron flag to Lt. Col. Richard W. Leibach.
Leibach relieved Lt. Col. William J. Dunn, Jr. (far right).
squadron’s operations officer. “(As operations officer), some of you
might remember me saying, ‘I’m well above where I'd thought I’d
be.’ But I kept on dreaming. (Assuming command) is not just the
icing on the cake. It’s the cream filling and the a la mode all thrown
in together.”
Only one week until Northern Viking
On Guard ...
Part of a 45-member FAST (Fleet Anti-terrorism
Security Team) deployed to Iceland, U.S. Marines
guard the perimeter of the Naval Computer and
Telecommunications Station during an exercise earlier
this week, (photo by J03 Mike C. Jones)
Know the rules regarding
government-owned vehicles
By Lt. Cmdr. Patrick McCarthy
IDF Staff Judge Advocate
With Exercise Northern Viking
only a week away, it is important for
all personnel to understand the rules
concerning the use of government
vehicles.
Use of government vehicles is reg-
ulated by two general rules: use of
official vehicles must be used for offi-
cial purposes only, and, unless specif-
ically authorized, official vehicles
may not be used for transportation
between quarters and a service mem-
ber’s place of duty.
These basic rules are modified
based upon service members’ duties
and duty status. For example, com-
manders may be authorized command
and control vehicles where they have
been charged with overall responsi-
bility for installation security and
operations. The commanding officer
of the Naval Air Station, Fleet Air
Keflavik and Naval Computer Tele-
communications Station, and the 85th
Group commander have been granted
this privilege. What this means is that
these commanders are authorized to
travel in their official vehicles from
their quarters to their place of duty,
and virtually everywhere else, as long
as they are not in an “on leave” status.
There is also a difference in how
the rules are applied to TDY/TAD
service members and permanent
party. If a service member is perma-
nent party, he or she may operate a
government vehicle only for official
GOVs continued on page 8
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