In a handover ceremony held at the Joint Warfare Centre on Tuesday 19 August 2008, Brigadier General Scott D. West, US Air Force took over as Chief of Staff of the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) from Brigadier General Philip M. Ruhlman, US Air Force.

During the ceremony, the Director JWC, Lieutenant General Wolfgang Korte, German Army, said goodbye to Brigadier General Ruhlman and thanked him for his invaluable contribution to the Joint Warfare Centre. He also conveyed words of friendship and wished the Brigadier General well for the future.
Brigadier General Philip M. Ruhlman served as Chief of Staff JWC since August 2006 until appointed as Commander, 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Welcome to the incoming Chief of Staff
The Director JWC then warmly welcomed the incoming Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Scott D. West to whom he tendered his best wishes for a successful mission.

International background
Brigadier General West has an international background, with previous appointments taking him from Korea to Germany and Hawaii.

His major awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Brigadier General West and his wife, Jane, look forward to joining the outstanding team of military and civilian professionals at the Joint Warfare Centre. They are very pleased to be given the opportunity to live in Norway and learn more about this multifaceted country.

New tradition
This handover ceremony was the start of a new tradition that will be carried out at the Joint Warfare Centre to mark the arrival of a new Chief of Staff.