Cortez native Doug Fraser has assumed command of the 3rd wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

Col. Fraser, the son of Bill and Sally Fraser of Cortez, has three main priorities for his command: readiness, community and innovation.

"My first priority is to keep our wing trained and ready to deploy, fight and win anywhere in the world we’re asked to fight," said Fraser, who took command Jan. 20. "This means being prepared to defend our base from attack, both here at Elmendorf and when we’re deployed."

Fraser said readiness also includes being ready to support follow-on forces and supplies as they transit through Elmendorf en route to deployed combat bases, and to maintain the ability to defend Alaska and the northern approaches to North America.

Fraser said his second priority, community, means taking care of people and being good neighbors.

"I want to foster a warm, caring Elmendorf community in an active, integrated Anchorage community," he said.

As his third priority, Fraser wants to foster an atmosphere that will enable people to find better, more effective ways to work.

"I want Elmendorf and the 3rd Wing to lead the Air Force in developing innovative ways to be more productive and make the Air Force a more flexible instrument of national power," the colonel said.

Good people are what will ensure the wing meets these priorities, Fraser said, and people are also the source of his inspiration as a leader.

"The thing that has most influenced me as a leader is the dedication of the many people I have worked with during my Air Force career. I am continually amazed at how Air Force people, through their own initiative, work tirelessly under difficult conditions to get the mission done.

"As a squadron commander, I watched crew chiefs spend their own time, when they didn’t think anyone was watching, to tighten hydraulic lines, clean aircraft and do other things they didn’t get to during the week. I’ve watched security forces troops stand watch over our aircraft and people in the blistering heat of Bahrain. I’ve watched services people do the little things — like organizing special events and menus that boosted the morale of deployed troops.

"I find airmen will do almost anything their leaders ask them to do, and often will go beyond that. My challenge as a leader is to ask people to do only what truly needs to be done," Fraser said.

The 3rd Wing provides the U.S. Pacific Command with trained and equipped tactical air superiority forces, all-weather strike assets, command and control platforms and tactical airlift resources for contingency operations.

Col. Fraser earned his commission upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1975. His flying tours include operational assignments in Europe, Tactical Air Command and the Pacific, where he commanded an F-15 squadron. He is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours.

The commander said he tries to model himself after four men: his father, whom he calls "a man of great integrity who lives what he preaches," and three retired Air Force officers — Col. Phil "Hands" Handley, Lt. Gen. Charles Cunningham and former Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman.

"They are all men of great integrity, willing to listen and adopt good ideas from anyone, regardless of rank, and dedicated to doing the right thing, whatever the cost to them personally or professionally," Fraser said.