For the first time since 2001, Volk Field is under new command.

Col. Gary L. Ebben took command of the Wisconsin Air National Guard Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) during a ceremony Friday. Ebben had previously served as Director of Staff for the Wisconsin Air National Guard Headquarters in Madison.

Ebben addressed several hundred in attendance and said that he is looking forward to the challenge of the responsibility of the mission performance of the CRTC, and that he believes Volk Field can be the “center of the universe” of air training facilities.

“The future holds much opportunity, and I feel truly fortunate to be part of this journey,” Ebben said.

Ebben graduated high school in Thorp, Wis., and has been in the military since enlisting in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1981.

Ebben recognized many of his family members that were at Volk Field for the event, including his wife of nearly 25 years, three sons and one daughter.

He also recognized his brother, Dale, who is retired from the Air Force.

“He was a pilot when I was in grade school,” Ebben said. “He and I had an opportunity to fly A-10s before he retired.”

Col. Ebben is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 275 combat hours in U.S. Air Force Aircraft. Ebben took over for outgoing commander Col. Gunther H. Neumann, who has served as commander of Volk Field since 2001.

Neumann will take on a new role in the joint staff of the Wisconsin Air National Guard Headquarters in Madison.

“He has been known for years as an icon here at Volk, and throughout the CRTC community,” Brigadier General John E. McCoy said of Neumann. “His leadership has resulted in good things for Volk.”

Before being named commander, Neumann was operations and training officer for Volk Field and Hardwood Range, and became director of operations for Volk Field in July 2000. Neumann thanked several in attendance at Friday’s ceremony, and said that he is looking forward to new challenges in the future.

“To our current and former leadership, thank you for the opportunity to lead the greatest CRTC unit in the world,” Neumann said.