Homestead ARB's 482nd Maintenance Group welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicholas Caceres
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Col. Douglas Batson assumed command of the 482nd Maintenance Group during a change of command ceremony here April 7.

A three-time squadron commander, Batson previously served as the 476th Fighter Group, 476th Maintenance Squadron, commander at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. He replaces Col. Gerald Micheletti, who has been the 482nd MXG commander for the past 20 months.

According to Col. Donald Lindberg, 482nd Fighter Wing commander, Colonel Batson has the experience, knowledge and patience needed to lead the maintenance group.

"Like the outgoing commander, [Batson] brings with him a boatload of experience," said Lindberg. "He's a sharp commander."

Batson's zeal for aircraft maintenance is readily apparent as he's achieved one of his lifelong goals.

"I'm extremely proud to be a world-famous Mako maintainer," said Batson. "Every young second lieutenant aircraft maintenance officer's goal should be to assume command of a maintenance group. It's the summation of a lifelong body of work in aircraft maintenance and logistics. The fact that I'm assuming command of the 482nd MXG makes it all the better."

According to Batson, in the near term, the 482nd MXG will focus on upgrading the remaining maintenance facilities and preparing for their next deployment. In the long term, his focus will be to continue the successful integration of Homestead ARB's active-duty counterparts and focusing on training the traditional reservists.

Since Micheletti took command, he's lead the 482nd MXG through five Operational Readiness Exercises, two Operational Readiness Inspections, and two Logistics Compliance Assessment Program assessments.

"Colonel Micheletti prepared everyone well and did the wing proud during the many inspections we've seen," said Lindberg.

Retiring in one month, Micheletti outlined the three rules he lives by.

"[...] to do what's right, to do the best you can, and to treat people right," he said. "I hope you feel like I've lived up to that. It's been an incredible 20 months. We weren't supposed to be having fun, but we did."