Alert mission receives new commander

Maj. James Spooner addresses an audience of military members, family and friends after assuming command of Florida Air National Guard’s Detachment 1, 125th Fighter Wing on Dec 16. During a brief change of command ceremony Lt. Col. Michael Birkeland relinquished command to Maj. Spooner. The primary mission of Det. 1 is to provide the Continental NORAD Region (CONR) commander rapid response to invasions of the sovereign airspace of the United States and respond with appropriate defense measures against all hostile actions directed at the people and property of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tim Norton)

Alert mission receives new commander

Published Dec. 17, 2010
By Tim Norton
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Homestead resident Maj. James Spooner assumed command of Florida Air National Guard's Detachment 1, 125th Fighter Wing from Lt. Col. Michael Birkeland on Dec 16.

During a brief change of command ceremony officiated by Col. Robert Branyon, 125th FW commander, Palmetto Bay resident Lt. Col. Michael Birkeland relinquished command to Maj. Spooner. Birekland has led the unit since January 2005.

In 1989 Spooner enlisted in the Florida Air National Guard and in 1992 earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Aviation Management from the University of Southern Illinois. In 1993, Maj. Spooner was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tenn.

Prior to becoming commander, Maj. Spooner served as the unit director of operations, accumulating over 1,700 hours flying the F-15.

The primary mission of Det. 1 is to provide the Continental NORAD Region commander rapid response to invasions of the sovereign airspace of the United States and respond with appropriate defense measures against all hostile actions directed at the people and property of the United States.