From left to right: Lisa August, Lisa Jokines, Donita and Randy Ogden pose with a sign for the Ogden's new residence at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Ogdens farewell dinner for held here on July 23, 2012.
From left to right: Lt. Col. Doug Miller, 916th Operations Support commander and Col. Caroline Evernham, 916th Operations Group commander present Col. Randy Ogden with a photo of the 916th's historical 'elephant walk' during Ogden's farewell dinner here on July 23, 2012. (USAF photo by Maj. Shannon Mann, 916ARW/PA)
7/24/2012 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- More than 70 family and friends turned out on Monday night to wish the Ogden's farewell during a dinner here.
Representatives from the 4th Fighter Wing, 916th Operations Group, Maintenance Group, Mission Support Group, Wing Staff, USO and local community spent a few hours gathered at the Eagles Landing to pay tribute to Col. Randall A. and Mrs. Donita Ogden. Ogden joined the 916th Air Refueling Wing in May 2010 as the wing commander. For the past four months he has been deployed overseas and just returned in time to say his good-byes and be off to his next assignment at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
Several presentations were made that included giving the commanding couple historical pictures from the wing, stained glass mementos and keepsakes that will remind them of their time in North Carolina.
Ogden addressed the crowd telling them what an honor it was serve with such an outstanding, award-winning wing and that while the couple may be in Illinois they will leave family here in North Carolina.
A change of command ceremony is planned for Sept. 23, 2012.
