Bayou Militia welcomes new commander

Photo By Master Sgt. Toby Valadie | Col. Shawn Coco, incoming commander of the 159th Fighter Wing, addresses Airmen, friends and family during a change of command ceremony held at the 159FW Hangar 5, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Belle Chasse, La., May 17, 2015. Coco has served as squadron commander, group commander and the vice wing commander for the 159FW. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Toby M. Valadie, 159th Public Affairs Office/RELEASED)  

BELLE CHASSE, LA, UNITED STATES

05.17.2015

Courtesy Story

Louisiana National Guard

By 1st Lt. Larissa Lambert, 159th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

BELLE CHASSE, La. – Col. Shawn M. Coco accepted command of the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Wing from outgoing commander Col. Thomas P. Sostarics, Sunday, during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans.

The ceremony included the exchange of the wing’s colors, which symbolizes the transfer of command authority, accountability and responsibility from one commander to another.

Coco served more than 10 years on active duty before joining the LAANG in 2004. He is a command pilot with over 3,500 flying hours and over 440 combat hours in the F-15 Eagle, AT-38 Talon and MC-12 Liberty. He served in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Operation Crescent Guard following Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, Coco has served as a squadron commander, group commander and as the vice wing commander for the 159th FW.

Coco said that it is a privilege to serve as commander of the Wing and rewarding to be a member of the Louisiana Air National Guard.

“The F-15 is renowned as the No. 1 fighter jet in history,” Coco said. “But as valuable and impressive as those jets are, they pale in comparison to the Airmen of our Wing.”

After serving for two years as commander, Sostarics has been assigned to LAANG Headquarters as the Director of Operations.

Sostarics was presented the Louisiana Legion of Merit for his exceptional leadership of the 159th’s more than 1,400 Airmen. The Wing has participated in various exercises such as Exercise Cope Tiger in Thailand, which had a 99.1 percent success rate, and Exercise Juniper Stallion in Israel. Sostarics also had a major role in coordinating patient evacuation with military and civilian agencies in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.

“I have been blessed with the best Airmen I have ever worked with. Your devotion to duty, professionalism and excellence is reflected in the work you do; always with a smile on your face,” Sostarics said. “The 159th Fighter Wing has so many great Airmen; it's been an honor and privilege serving as your commander.”

• Date Taken: 05.17.2015
• Date Posted: 05.21.2015 17:44
• Story ID: 164156
• Location: BELLE CHASSE, LA, US