BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
An unprecedented number of formal ceremonies heralded several changes in command across the 940th Wing during the unit's March Unit Training Assembly.
In an Assumption of Command ceremony on Saturday, March 3, Col. Joseph Battaglia became the 940th Operations Group commander.
A 1984 graduate of the Air Force Academy and an accomplished military and commercial pilot with more than 6,200 flying hours, Battaglia transferred to Beale in 2008 from the 701st Combat Operations Squadron at March Air Reserve Base in southern California. As an Active Guard and Reserve member assigned to the 940th Wing, he served in various leadership positions at the 940th Wing, including Wing Director of Staff and 940th Operations Group Deputy Commander before assuming his new command.
During his Assumption of Command speech, Battaglia reminded the Reservists in the audience of the importance of keeping priorities straight.
"We're Citizen Airmen - part-timers. I take my hat off to every single one of you. We demand a lot of you, and your country has asked a lot of you since 9/11. And you've answered your country's call in an outstanding manner," Battaglia said. "But you've got to keep your priorities straight: family first, civilian job second, and military third. The best any commander can hope to be is third on your priority list, and those aren't just words."
Battaglia lauded the scope of missions conducted by the 940th Operations Group.
"We have six squadrons in the ops group. Every single mission we do is very, very important," Battaglia said. "The ops tempo hasn't slowed down as I've seen it, but I'm confident the fine men and women of the 940th Ops Group can and will continue to succeed. I'm looking forward to this job as your commander. I can't wait to work with all of you and see where we can take this group."
In a second ceremony Saturday, command of the 50th Intelligence Squadron changed hands. Lt. Col. Kenneth Chappelle stepped aside after more than four years at the helm, as Lt. Col. Leslie Beavers took charge of the unit.
Beavers is a traditional reservist with intelligence officer, executive officer and protocol officer experience. Prior to this new assignment, she was the Deputy Chief of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at Fourth Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, in southern California.
At the ceremony, Beavers told the audience her mantra for success is "know and do your job, know and do your job, know and do your job."
"Without failure, I've found that contribution, accountability and continuous improvement have led to my personal success in the Air Force. I expect those three things of myself and of others," Beavers said. "I want to assure the 50th IS that I'm well aware of the many successes you've had, and I'm honored and thrilled to be at this place, at this time, this moment, and to have this opportunity with all of you."
On Sunday of the March UTA, two mission support units also gained new commanders. In a dual Assumption of Command ceremony, Major Emily Richards took the reins as the commander of the 940th Force Support Squadron and Major Andres Lange became the commander of the 940th Communications Flight.
"Both of these new commanders are motivated and talented individuals," said Colonel Patricia Brewer, 940th Mission Support Group commander. "We have an Operation Readiness Exercise and an Operational Readiness Inspection looming, so they'll have to hit the ground running. I'm confident, under Major Richards' and Major Lange's leadership, these two units will continue moving ahead."