LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Members of the 27th Fighter Squadron welcomed their director of operations as the new commander during a change of command ceremony here May 30.
Lt. Col. Wade Tolliver, former commander, handed command to Lt. Col. Lansing Pilch.
"It was an incredible opportunity to be the commander of a squadron so rich in heritage," said Colonel Tolliver, commander since May 2006.
"As I look back the last two years, I can't help but feel awe. I am excited for the future of the 27th Fighter Squadron," he said.
After receiving the guidon, Colonel Pilch said it was an honor to follow Colonel Tolliver into the position of commander.
The new commander also stated three goals for the unit, including continuing the effective integration with the Air National Guard, successfully combining the maintenance squadron and the 27th FS, and ensuring the 27th FS is able to serve the country and achieve air dominance.
"I am deeply honored to serve as your new commander; there is no limit to what we can achieve," Colonel Pilch said.
Colonel Pilch is a senior pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the F-16, F-15C and F-22 jets and has served in combat over Southwest Asia. He received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1993. After attending undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he received his pilot wings in 1995.
After F-16 training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Colonel Pilch was assigned to the 523rd Fighter squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., where he worked in weapons and scheduling. In 1999, he was transferred to Kunsan Air Base, Korea, where he served as Assistant Chief, Wing Standardization and Evaluation and flight examiner for the 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats" and the 8th Fighter Wing.
In 2001 after earning Top Graduate from F-16 Weapons School, Colonel Pilch served as Chief of Weapons and Tactics with the 308th Fighter Squadron's "Emerald Knights" at Luke Air Force Base. In 2003, he served as flight commander, assistant director of operations and director of operations at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
The New Jersey native earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan where he graduated with High Academic Distinction. He transferred to Langley in February 2008 as the 27th FS' director of operations.
His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Achievement Medal.