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145th Maintenance Group Welcomes New Commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julianne M. Showalter
  • 145th Public Affairs
CHARLOTTE, N.C. --  Members of the 145th Maintenance Group (MXG) gathered in Hangar 51 for the assumption of command ceremony as U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stephen Mallette assumed command. Formerly the commanding officer of the 118th Air Support Operations Squadron, Mallette is taking the helm of a group level command for the first time.  

First Sgt. Jennifer Moreau, 145th MXG, passed the unit flag during the ceremony and said, "So far after meeting him, he's not shy and that's great in a maintenance command position."

Moreau also added, "He's just coming back from deployment, and that makes it very real for our guys getting ready to deploy."

With the increased responsibility of a group level command Mallette spoke of the new challenges, "I'm very excited, as a new commander my task is to provide the necessary tools so our Airmen can get the job done."

One of the Airmen in formation, Airman 1st Class Joseph Henry, 145th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said, "I'm only an Airman 1st Class, but I think he'll do a good job and it's good to have him here."

More than 100 Airmen attended the ceremony and stood in formation to honor the new commander.

The ceremony, held at the North Carolina Air National Guard Base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. Airport, Oct. 4, 2014, is a military tradition deeply rooted in history and dates back to the times of the Roman Legion. The unit flag is handed off symbolically indicating to all, his authority as the commanding officer.