DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Col. Scott Stewart assumed command of the 919th Special Operations Mission Support group during a ceremony at Duke Field, Florida, September 12, 20020. Col Kevin Merrill, 919th Special Operations Wing commander, presided over the ceremony. The event was live-streamed so that Airmen, family and friends who were not able to join in person due to COVID-19 restrictions could virtually attend.
“Today the 919th SOW is welcoming an outstanding leader, Col. Scott Stewart.” Merrill remarked during the ceremony. “He is exactly the person we need to lead this team.”
Before assuming command of the 919th SOMSG, Stewart was Chief of Special Projects for the Security Forces Center at the Pentagon. Prior to that he was Deputy Chief of the Air Force Criminal Justice Information Cell.
“My objective is to have the very best MSG that we can, and I think that starts off at the basic things,” said Stewart. “I’m excited at the opportunity to mentor and take care of Airmen.
Upon his arrival to Duke Field, Stewart already began making changes around the base. He started a base beautification project to make sure landscaping looks nice and sidewalks and signs are free of mold that accumulates so quickly in the Northwest Florida climate.
“If I truly take mentoring to heart and really want our Airmen to do a good job, we have to make the environment positive,” said Stewart. “That has been my first objective the first couple weeks here was to get the base looking nice again. We are creating an environment where Airmen want to give 110%.”
Stewart first enlisted in the Air Force in 1985, transferred to the Army as a specialist and then commissioned in 1996. He switched back to the Air Force as a captain in 2001. He has over 34 years in the Air Force and says he still looks forward to coming to work every day.
“If my first impression stands true about the 919th SOW, it’s going to leave me with an incredible positive impression,” said Stewart. “I love what I do. I love wearing the uniform. I love being a servant for the nation. I get up every day and I’m excited to know I can put the uniform on, go to work, and do something greater than myself.”