LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Command of the 1st Operations Group changed hands here during a ceremony March 30.
Col. Patrick Marshall assumed command from Col. Tom Bergeson, who will depart for a one-year tour on the Multi-National Forces Iraq staff in Baghdad at the end of April.
Colonel Marshall comes to the 1st OG from Headquarters Air Force where he was the force application capabilities division chief, directorate of operational capability requirements, air, space and information operations deputy chief. He has more than 2,800 hours flying the OT-37, OV-10 and F-15 A/B/C/D aircraft.
"Already I've been impressed by your professionalism, dedication to mission and the way you take care of one another," Colonel Marshall said to 1st OG members during the ceremony. "I am honored and privileged to be part of this tremendous team and look forward to leading the 1st OG forward, adding to the long legacy of the 1st in unparalleled dominance of air power."
A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Colonel Marshall's awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
The 1st OG consists of the 27th, 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons with F-22A and F-15 aircraft, and the 1st Operations Support Squadron.