Hurlburt Field changes command, welcomes Lt. Gen. Conley

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. ( WMBB ) — More than 24,000 people in the Panhandle live or work at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Okaloosa County.

On Tuesday, Lieutenant General Tony Bauernfeind passed the special operations wings flag Tuesday at Hurlburt Field to incoming commander, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley.

“I’m so proud of what the headquarters AFSOC team has done to start that journey in that transformation as we move forward,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, former Hurlburt Field commander.

Local community members, politicians, and military personnel packed the ceremony.

National leaders in attendance spoke about the current state of special operations and military practices.

“There are aspiring great powers who are developing capabilities and demonstrating the will to use them in a manner that threatens our national security. In a way, we haven’t seen it in the last three decades. The character of war is also changing,” said Gen. David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

“I would submit if the Ukrainians were ever just fighting Russia, that’s not the case now. It’s Ukraine against Russia plus Iran plus North Korea and even probably the rough edges of China,” said Gen. Bryan Fenton, USSOCOM Commander.

Bauernfeind commended the wings under his leadership for navigating the changing air force during his tenure.

“You’ve brought forward capabilities like the Theater Air Operations Squadrons where we are now putting that regional focus, that long-term stare on our regional adversaries, not only with phenomenal intel teams but also the right mission planners and more importantly, the air advisors. So we can build our relationships with our allies and partners to stay linked arm in arm,” said Bauernfeind.

Exiting commander, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind is moving to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, taking over this command says the next step forward should be about innovation and resilience.

“It will take all of us rowing together to ensure we’re ready. Any place, any time, anywhere isn’t just our motto. It’s our way of life. Again, I’m humbled by this opportunity, but I’m also ready to get to work. All current policies and directives remain in effect,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, Hurlburt Field Commander.

Bauernfiend worked as commander of the nation’s leading special operations wings since December 2022.

Conley has served since 1997 with previous experience at Hurlburt in 2018.

Learn more here.

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