Promotion ceremony for Col. Higgins

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - The 107th Airlift Wing is under new command today and its new commander is no stranger to western New York.

As a native western New Yorker, Colonel John Higgins assumed command with his promotion ceremony Saturday.

Col. Higgins said, "I'm very proud to take over,  the 107th Airlift Wing is a great unit. Being selected, it's something you work for all your life so I'm just proud."

A lot of people in the region are nervous the 107th will be closed down. When asked what he can do to prevent that from happening, Higgins responded, "We have to be the best C130 Wing in the nation. That's what we do, we train and equip our folks and if we're the best unit in the world, it's going to be awfully tough to close us."

He admits he's a little biased, but Col. Higgins' colleagues praise his leadership skills.

Over the last 30-years, Higgins' military careers brought him throughout the U.S and Europe. His wife, Lisa Higgins says the new honor is well-earned. She says she is very proud of him, the man who served his country very well.

It turns out, this is what Higgins had wanted to do when he got in the base 30-years-ago.