New leaders accept command of 192nd Operations Group, Maintenance Squadron

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. M. Selki
  • Virginia Joint Force HQ Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --  The 192nd Fighter Wing held a joint change of command ceremony for the 192nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Squadron and the 192nd Fighter Wing Operations Group Sunday, Oct.19, 2014, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Lt. Col. Thomas P. McAtee accepted command of the 192nd Operations Group from Col. William J. Butz.  Butz was recently appointed as the Air Operations director at Joint Force Headquarters, Virginia Air National Guard.

"I left a really strong squadron, and I can guarantee that I've left it in good hands with Lt. Col. Lobash. But I'm really looking forward to being the commander of the 192nd Operations Group because they're a great group of folks.  They're outstanding professionals and Virginians, and that's really what it's all about.  It's about the people. I'm looking forward to taking care of our people so they can take care of the mission," said McAtee.

"It was a great two years for me; it was the greatest job to culminate my operational career as the 192nd Operations Group commander.  I'm very excited for Col. McAtee to take us forward because there are a lot of great things here on the horizon and I know he'll do a fantastic job," said Butz.

Lt. Col. Frank J. Lobash, previously a flight commander in the 149th Fighter Squadron, accepted command of the 192nd Maintenance Squadron from McAtee.

"I'm really excited about taking over the Maintenance Squadron. After the first UTA, it's been a whirlwind to learn everything, but I'm excited to figure it all out and be a part of the Maintenance Squadron," said Lobash.