Maintenance group hosts dual ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Strong family relationships and Air Force mentoring influenced two unit command changes at the 482nd Fighter Wing Aug. 5.

Col. T. Glenn Davis, 482nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group commander, passed the guidons of two subordinate units to lieutenant colonels who both attribute their successes to those around them.

Lt. Col. June Groff assumed command of the 482nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Squadron. Lt. Col. Luis Millares was promoted to his current rank during the same ceremony where he accepted his new command assignment. Colonel Millares assumed command of the 482nd Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Colonel Groff spoke to distinguished guests and maintenance Airmen about her career to date. After joining in the Air Force in 1982 as an enlisted computer operator, the colonel often asked her Air Force brother for advice as she transitioned from enlisted to commissioned, to navigator and beyond.

She noted how mentoring consists of not only learning from advice, but also understanding which "advice" to avoid. The colonel thanked family members, mentors and her children for their help and support.

Colonel Millares noted the turbulent year he's had to this point: two prior command assignments leading up to aircraft maintenance, and a change in his civilian occupation. Colonel Millares thanked Colonel Davis for three months of mentoring and the opportunity to lead the aircraft maintenance squadron. Colonel Millares was supported by several family members who traveled all the way from the Florida Keys to arrive in time for the 7:30 a.m. ceremony.

Each of the colonels spoke of challenges facing the maintenance group. Colonel Davis is scheduled to leave the 482nd MXG this month for assignment with Air Force Reserve Command at Robbins Air Force Base, Ga. Meanwhile, the 482nd FW is facing significant growth with the addition of nine F-16s reassigned under the Base Realignment and Closure process.

Although many Airmen from the 482nd FW are currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the timing of these leadership changes is designed to allow for proper preparation for the next Air Expeditionary Force deployment during a time of rapid growth and accelerating operations tempo for the 482nd FW.

Colonel Davis praised the maintainers of the 482nd FW for all they have accomplished under his leadership. He offered confidence in their ability to face the challenges ahead.