542nd CSW commander bids farewell Published Aug. 7, 2009 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- When Col. Joseph Veneziano is asked to reflect on his year of service at Robins, a single word is pervasive in his answer. The word is love. "I loved it," he said in an interview this week. "It's been the best job I've had in the Air Force. I've loved working at Robins Air Force Base. I've loved working in Middle Georgia, and I've loved working with the men and women of the Combat Sustainment Wing." Colonel Veneziano, known to most as "Colonel V," came to Robins in June, 2008, to serve as vice commander of the wing. He took on the role of acting commander after Brenda Romine, then director of the 542nd CSW, moved up to become executive director of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. His departure was originally meant to coincide with the reorganization of the wing, which was to be folded into other operations on base. But that decision has been postponed. No decision has been made on his replacement, he said. If a replacement hasn't been named by the time he departs, then Col. David French would become the acting commander. Colonel French is currently the commander of the 742nd Combat Sustainment Group and acting vice wing commander of the 542nd CSW. The 542nd CSW is made up of about 1,900 personnel, with less than 100 of those military, Colonel Veneziano said. The wing provides life-cycle management for a wide array of combat systems and capabilities. One of the things about the wing that makes Colonel Veneziano proudest, he said, actually happened shortly before his arrival last year. That's when the wing earned "outstanding" in an Operational Readiness Inspection, a major accomplishment. "I'm proud that the men and women of the Combat Sustainment Wing have a passion for excellence, and I'm also impressed that they lead and follow with character and integrity," he said. He also had high praise for base leadership and for the union leaders with whom he has worked during his command. "I think that the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center is in really good hands with the trio of leadership - Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer, Mr. Deryl Israel and Col. Bob Stambaugh. All three of them are recognized experts in their respective fields, and together they make a great team to lead Warner Robins Air Logistics Center into the next decade. I also appreciate the great work and cooperation from all of our bargaining unit employees and from the union leadership." His new job is in Requirements at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He will be director of capabilities and requirements, which will include acquisition improvement programs, up front planning for new acquisition programs, and he will manage AFMC support and participation in Air Force Concept of Operations, such as Agile Combat Support. Colonel Veneziano said his experience at Robins, which was his first in an ALC, will give him important perspective in his new assignment. "When I get to AFMC, it will help me understand what the needs are and what the priorities need to be," he said. Although there will be no change of command ceremony, Colonel Veneziano will be addressing the wing before his departure. Today, at 10 a.m., he will hold a commanders call and luncheon at the Museum of Aviation in which he will offer some parting words. Colonel Veneziano said he is proud to serve with the men and women of the 542 Combat Sustainment Wing. He also looks forward to leading the wing into the LCAT inspection next week so they can "demonstrate their outstanding knowledge, skills, attitude, and abilities."