Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Leard, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, passes a guidon to Col. Judy Rattan, 97th Medical Group (MDG) commander, during the 97th MDG change of command at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, June 3, 2020. The 97th MDG ensures maximum wartime readiness and combat capability by promoting the health, safety and morale of active duty personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody Dowell)

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Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

U.S. Air Force Col. Jack Flynt, the 97th Operations Group commander, passes a guidon to Lt. Col. Keaton Askew, 97th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) commander, during the 97th OSS change of command at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, June 12, 2020. The 97th OSS provides direct support to two flying squadrons and operates six flights to include airfield operations, current operations, aircrew flight equipment, intelligence, tactics and weather. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Breanna Klemm)

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Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Pedersen, former 97th Mission Support Group commander, passes a guidon to Maj. Jonathan Esquivel, 97th Contracting Flight(CONF) commander, during the 97th CONF change of command at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, July 2, 2020. The flight, comprised of several civilians and military personnel, serves as key advisers to the wing commander and staff for acquisition and contracting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody Dowell)

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Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Pedersen, former 97th Mission Support Group commander, passes a guidon to Maj. Andrew McFee, 97th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) commander, during the 97th SFS change of command at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, July 15, 2020. The 97th SFS provides security for C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft, as well as provides force protection and law enforcement support for more than 10,000 active duty military, DoD civilians, contractors, family members and retired personnel in the community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody Dowell)

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Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Pedersen, former 97th Mission Support Group commander, passes a guidon to Maj. Travis Rush, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) commander, during the 97th LRS change of command at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, July 16, 2020. The 97th LRS provides combat-ready Airmen by executing the wing’s contingency and deployment programs supporting wartime, peacetime, and humanitarian operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody Dowell)

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Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Leard, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, passes the a to Col. David Vanderburg, 97th Mission Support Group (MSG) commander, during the 97th MSG change of command at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, July 17, 2020. The 97th MSG provides mission support for C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and KC-46 Pegasus aircraft and base-wide infrastructure to include communications, civil engineering, law enforcement, force/fire protection, contracting, disaster response, environmental, lodging, transportation, recreation, supply, education, mobility, food service, and family and personnel support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cody Dowell)

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Mobility’s Hometown welcomes six new commanders this summer

Published July 28, 2020
By Staff Sgt. Cody Dowell
Altus Air Force Base Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --

The 97th Air Mobility Wing celebrated one flight, three squadron, and two group changes of command in of June and July of 2020. In chronological order, U.S. Air Force Col. Judy Rattan took command of the 97th Medical Group, Lt. Col. Keaton Askew took command of the 97th Operations Support Squadron, Maj. Jonathan Esquivel took command of the 97th Contracting Flight, Maj. Andrew McFee took command of the 97th Security Forces Squadron, Maj. Travis Rush took command of the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron and Col. David Vanderburg took command of the 97th Mission Support Group.