OG change of command

Col. David P. Garfield, left, the 482nd Fighter Wing commander, passes the 482nd Operations Group guidon to Lt. Col. Michael F. Lesman as he assumes command of the 482nd OG during a change-of-command ceremony at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., in Hangar 200. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Frank Casciotta)

482nd Operations Group gets new commander

Published Nov. 8, 2015
By Senior Airman Aja Heiden
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- The 482nd Operations Group welcomed a new commander during a change-of-command ceremony Nov. 6 in Hanger 200.

Lt. Col. Michael F. Lesman assumed command of the 482nd OG from Col. David W. Smith. Before taking the reins of the 482nd OG, Lesman was the 482nd Operations Support Squadron commander.

Lesman received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989. Since then, he has accumulated more than 4,600 flying hours including 975 combat hours.

"The mission is to fly, fight and win so that's what we are going to do," said Lesman.

Smith is headed to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he will take over as the commander of 419th Fighter Wing.

"Thank you for allowing me to serve you," said Smith to the 482nd OG Airmen during his final address as their commander.