Command of 49th MXG changes with passing of guidon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Command of the 49th Maintenance Group changed with the passing of the guidon at a change-of-command ceremony here Aug. 6. 

Col. Donald Van Patten succeeded Col. George Torres Jr., who will become the director of maintenance for the Global Strike Command at Barksdale AFB, La., after serving two years as 49th MXG commander. 

Under Colonel Torres' command, the 49th MXG successfully took on many challenges including the retiring the F-117 Nighthawk in outstanding fashion and delivering a smooth and effective transition to the F-22A Raptor, said Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th Fighter Wing commander. 

"It has been an impressive performance under the command of Colonel George Torres. [His] leadership, poise and belief in his people has taken this organization to new heights," he said. "We thank you for your effort and I know you are the perfect fit for Global Strike Command." 

Colonel Torres thanked his family and members of Team Holloman before relinquishing his command to Colonel Van Patten. He offered a piece of advice to his successor. 

"You're taking on quite a mission. Your job will be to clear the way for these proud professionals to do their job," he said. "I wish you the best." 

Colonel Van Patten comes to the 49 MXG from the 57th Maintenance Group at Nellis AFB, Nev., where he was the acting commander of the 57th MXG. As commander, he led a diverse maintenance group, supported 17 separate flying programs and conducted advanced aerospace training and operational test and evaluation missions for the U.S. and Allied Combat Air Forces. 

During the ceremony, he thanked his family for their support and expressed his honor to join the "proud maintainers of the 49er family." 

"I am truly blessed with leading a fine group of warriors," said Colonel Van Patten. "You have a proud heritage and a proud legacy from the F-117 to the F-15 and now the F-22. You are pioneering stealth maintenance techniques that have really made the F-22 better." 

Colonel Van Patten said he plans to build on the fundamentals Colonel Torres has established. 

"Thank you for setting the standard high," he said to Colonel Torres. "As I look to the future, you will see my focus on safety, compliance and discipline. You will also see my emphasis on communication to eliminate the seams and gaps inside and outside the career to forage better relationships and efficiency for one purpose -- combat readiness." 

Colonel Van Patten ended the ceremony with a quote by George Patton: "Accept the challenge so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." 

"Today, I've accepted the challenge so that we may feel the exhilaration of victory of standing up the F-22 and making it combat ready," he said.