ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- As combat operations continued to roll on at a forward operating location in Southwest Asia April 4, a small change of command ceremony was being conducted that resulted in a new commander of the 37th Bomb Squadron "Tigers."

Lt. Col. Joseph Sheffield, a seasoned B-1 command pilot with more than 2,900 flying hours including more than 700 combat hours , took command of the 37th BS during a planned ceremony presided over by Col. John Lamontagne, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group commander.

"I'll never forget it," said Sheffield. "At the very moment I was taking command, men and women of the 37th (BS) were conducting combat missions in the skies over Afghanistan."

While they couldn't witness the ceremony in person, Sheffield's family and friends were able to watch the ceremony remotely. Sheffield added that conducting a ceremony in a deployed environment reminded him of his responsibilities and duty to the mission and the amazing men and women of the 37th BS who expertly execute it day after day.

"The Tigers have a long and storied tradition of combat and excellence dating back to World War I," said Sheffield, a 1997 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. "It's an honor to be the new commander. I'm truly humbled, excited and look forward to serving and leading the amazing Airmen who make our difficult and complex mission look simple."

More than 350 Airmen and a portion of Ellsworth's B-1 fleet continue to provide multi-role airpower in support of U.S. and coalition forces in that region of the world.