LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 149th Fighter Squadron held a change of command ceremony here Nov. 17 when Lt. Col. James Cox assumed command from Lt. Col. Keith Wark.
Colonel Wark, who assumed command of the 149th FS in May of 2005, has been a contributor to the Total Force Integration effort at Langley.
"Thank you for the blessing that this has been," said Colonel Wark as he addressed members of the 149th Fighter Squadron. "[The] men and women standing here today are outstanding."
Colonel Wark also addressed the incoming commander, stating, he couldn't think of a better person to assume command of the squadron.
Colonel Cox attended the University of Tennessee see in Knoxville and was commissioned that same year. Colonel Cox accepted a flying position with the Virginia Air National Guard in Richmond in 1997. Since then, he has assisted with several theaters of operation with the Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System and the Lightening II targeting pod.
"You have left incredibly large shoes to fill," said the incoming commander, "because of the heart and soul you have poured into this squadron."
This is the first time the squadron has performed a change of command in its new location.