New 20th Fighter Wing commander wants airmen to feel welcomed in Sumter as part of community

Col. Kevin D. Hicok, the new 20th Fighter Wing commander as of June, said his oldest son is a stoic guy.

This stoic guy, at 12 years old, has moved around a lot in his life, but when his parents asked him how he would feel about sticking around Sumter after having already lived there for three years, he smiled a smile his dad won't soon forget.

The Hicoks, like any military family, live a transient life, having lived all around the world in service to their country. It's both an honor and a sacrifice, the commander's wife, Bridie, said.

They moved to Sumter's Shaw Air Force Base in July 2021 when Hicok was deputy commander of the 20th Fighter Wing.

"I really like that feeling of just being kind of scooped up and part of the community," he said.

It's special that Shaw's new commander was chosen internally; usually, the base commander comes from another place, but Hicok and his family are already familiar with not only Shaw, but Sumter as well.

But they know what it's like to be new in town, so they want all airmen and soldiers at Shaw to feel welcomed in Sumter to ease that transition every military member and family experiences upon every move.

"Welcoming these families into your communities and into your activities is very crucial to some of these families having a good experience and being able to do the mission because their families are supported at home," Bridie Hicok said. "If you have a neighbor that you know is military, maybe their spouse is deployed, maybe their children are struggling to adapt to a new place, to invite them into your activities and invite them to children's birthday parties. Invite them to neighborhood barbecues and cookouts.

"Tell them about events that are happening, and sometimes it's easier to move to a new place and just be quiet, not immerse yourself, but this town is full of opportunities, and we want our families to know that they can go to these community events."

Welcomed and supported is exactly what the Hicoks felt during the June 7 ceremony where Shaw's commander position switched hands officially.

"It was overwhelming, a lot of emotions going on. We're very good friends with the previous command team, and so it's a moment of gratitude for being able to be their partner for the last couple of years," he said. "It's bittersweet to see them go. … And then just to look out in the crowd and see all the airmen … the breadth of support."

The previous 20th Fighter Wing commander was Col. Kristoffer Smith. He is now deputy director of plans, programs and requirements for Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, according to Shaw's website.