Maj. Chris Deyo Takes Command at Hancock Field

  • Published
  • By Capt. Anthony Bucci
  • 174th Fighter Wing/PA
Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York --  On April 1, 2012, an assumption of command ceremony took place at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base as Capt. (now Maj.) Chris Deyo assumed command of the 174th Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron.

Col. Earl Evans, 174th FW Support Group Commander, handed over the guidon to Capt. Deyo signifying the assumption of command by Capt. Deyo of the 174 SFS. Although such ceremonies are relativelly brief, they are highly significant and symbolic.

"I am so very appreciative to Col. Evans and the leadership here at the 174th Fighter Wing for giving me this opportunity, and to the men and women of Hancock Field who have made me feel welcomed since I first arrived to the unit. Now I am truly back home, back home with security forces," said Deyo.

Prior to assuming command of the 174th SFS, Capt. Deyo served as the Logistics Readiness Officer at the 174th FW from December 2008 till March 2012. Prior to that he was assigned to the 147th Fighter Wing, Ellington Field, TX as the SFS Commander. Capt. Deyo is a native of Central New York and attended East Syracuse Minoa High School.  He is married to wife Lisa and they have three children.

In his civilian career, Capt. Deyo has been employed by the Drug Enforcement Agency since 1997 and is assigned to the Syracuse branch as a Supervisory Special Agent. He was recently promoted to Major and has nearly 20 years of military service with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.

The Security Forces career field has a long, rich history which predates the inception of the Air Force in 1947. The invention of the aircraft and its subsequent military use required a protective force to guard the aircraft and defend the people who fly and fight.

The assumption of command is a military formation deeply rooted in history and tradition dating back to the time of Frederick the Great of Prussia. The modern-day ceremony is principally symbolic; yet, it still announces to all the authority of the incoming commander in the finest of military tradition.