"Knight" in shining cammo: wing welcomes new exec

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Kelly
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  To be the right-hand man of a wing commander, an Airman has to know a little about a lot. Above all, how to get the job done and how to motivate others to do the same.

As the new executive officer for the 920th Rescue Wing, Maj. Douglas Knight brings all that to the table and a little bit more. 

As a former enlisted, active-duty member, Air National Guardsman and now commissioned Air Reserve Technician, Major Knight has held past positions as a supply technician, cook, personnel officer, security police officer, newcomer's flight commander, mission support squadron executive officer and mission support squadron commander before assuming the role of executive officer for Col. Steven Kirkpatrick here. 

In his current position, Major Knight serves as head of the commander's support staff. Responsible for overseeing the wing staff's administrative functions and programs, Major Knight describes his management philosophy as "participative, delegate to the max, and always ready to be 'hands-on' when needed."

Major Knight said he likes to "give people as much authority and responsibility as they can handle and desire. I feel people perform best when they feel they have control of their environment and are motivated by it.

"Motivated by the Air Force core values, Major Knight said, "My personal goal is one I think everyone should have, and that is to be the best in the world at whatever it is you do.

"In addition to answering the call to duty, Major Knight is dedicated to answering a call of a different kind. 

"Every Sunday, I teach adult sunday school at the South Patrick Chapel...and play percussion in our church praise band during the...service," he said. 

When he isn't practicing with the praise band, Major Knight enjoys cooking and exercising. 

On being a successful executive officer and Air Force member, Major Knight said, "I have always tried to ask myself, what is the big picture, what is the mission, how can I help my boss get it done and always try to remember that everyone in the Air Force is a key player. From the airman first class driving the fork lift to the one-star flying an airplane, they are all key to getting the mission done."