347 RQG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frances Kriss
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Air Force's largest combat search and rescue unit welcomed a new leader during a change of command ceremony July 1.

Col. Chad Franks took command of the 347th Rescue Group from Col. Darryle Grimes, who will be the next deputy director of the Secretary of Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.

"What an honor it is to stand before you today as your new commander," said Colonel Franks. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to lead such a great organization. My family and I are excited to join the 23rd Wing family and look forward to joining the Valdosta community. We have heard such great things about this community."

Colonel Franks was most recently the commander of the 66th Rescue Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., a geographically-separated unit of the 23rd WG. Prior to taking command of the 347th RQG, he attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

During his last speech as commander of the 347th RQG, Colonel Grimes spoke about working with the men and women of the group.

"The Airmen in this group and in rescue have relentlessly pushed ahead to improve their equipment and their tactics, techniques, and procedures, all of which has dramatically increased their recovery capabilities and made them the world's finest rescue force," he said. "I am privileged to have been their commander, but I am truly honored to be their peer as a fellow rescue Airmen performing the noblest of missions. I'm very proud of this group's many accomplishments at homeand abroad.

"As my family and I depart to begin the next chapter in our Air Force journey, the rescue community can be certain that our thoughts and prayers will always remain with the men and women of the 347th RQG and the 23rd WG Flying Tigers as they continue to do their incredible work 'That others may live'," he added.

The 347th Rescue Group directs flying and maintenance of the oldest U.S. Air Force active duty operations group dedicated to combat search and rescue. The group also deploys worldwide in support of humanitarian interests, U.S. national security and the war on terrorism. They were the primary force in the Hurricane Katrina relief missions.

"My goal is to ensure our mission is successful, take care of our families and have fun along the way," said Colonel Franks. "I look forward to working as part of the 23rd WG team with my fellow commanders to ensure our mission is successful."

Colonel Franks graduated the Air Force ROTC program in 1990 at the University of New Orleans in New Orleans, La.

He is a command pilot with more than 3,200 hours in the T-37, UH-1N and MH/HH-60G. He has flown in special operations throughout the world to include Europe, Turkey, Serbia, Kenya, Australia and the first successful MH-60G combat rescue of a downed F-117 pilot behind enemy lines during Operation Allied Force.