The guidon was officially passed as Brig. Gen. Walter Lindsley took command of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex from Brig. Gen. Cedric George during a change-of-command ceremony last Monday at the Museum of Aviation. 

A who's who of military elite, federal, state and local officials and business leaders were on hand for the event to formally thank George for his service, while welcoming Lindsley and his family to Robins. 

Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center commander, presided over the ceremony. 

"This is a transition of command unlike anything we've had before," he said. "We're on the right path, doing the right things. We need a leader who's up to the task. I can't think of anyone better than Brig. Gen. Lindsley. It's going to take guts." 

George was presented the Legion of Merit for his leadership during challenging times for Robins and the Air Force. 

And then the reins of the ALC were passed to Lindsley, who promised to help Robins continue its journey of success. 

A 32-year Air Force veteran and Illinois native, Lindsley comes to Robins from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he served as the Air Force Materiel Command director of staff. 

While there, he was charged with integrating daily operations, management, resources, facilities and executive administrative duties in support of the command headquarters mission. 

Speaking during the ceremony, he said with 7,500 personnel now under his command - the largest of his career - he is not pressured, calling the new position a thrilling and humbling learning experience. 

"Is the new commander going to change things up? The answer is 'no,'" said Lindsley. "There are three primary objectives: Take care of your mission; take care of your people because they're the heartbeat of the complex and always have your eyes looking out the windshield toward the future." 

George will leave Robins for the Pentagon, where he will serve as director of system integration in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support at Air Force headquarters. 

In his farewell speech, George thanked Robins and the community.

"My wife and I are grieving somewhat," he said, "because of this great, loving and caring community we've come to love. This community is deep-and-wide in love with this Air Force. It's in your DNA."