69th Fighter Squadron welcomes its first female commander

Photo By Staff Sgt. LAUSANNE KINDER | LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Lt. Col. Trena Savageau, incoming 69th Fighter Squadron commander, speaks during the 69 FS change of command ceremony Oct. 10. Savageau is a command pilot with more than 2,000 flying hours, including 80 combat hours.  

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, UNITED STATES

10.20.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. LAUSANNE KINDER 

944th Fighter Wing

Lt. Col. Sean Rassas, outgoing 69 FS commander relinquished command to Lt. Col. Trena Savageau, former Assistant Director of Operations for the 69 FS. The ceremony was presided over by Col. Korey Amundson, 944th Operations Group commander.

Amundson praised Rassas on his accomplishments during his tenure, saying how well he led the Werewolves through the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly.

“This can be a daunting job for any commander, yet Double (Rassas) was not only able to succeed, but excel as a Traditional Reservist commander," said Amundson. "The 944th thanks him for his service and sacrifice, and I thank him for his counsel and leadership.”

Following a 69 FS tradition, Rassas threw a football to Savageau as a symbolic passing on of the command and said “Good Luck, it’s your ball to carry now and it isn't an easy game.”

After relinquishing command, Rassas will transition to the 944th OG as TR deputy commander.

“Ever since I’ve known her she’s had two priorities, her family and being the best fighter pilot she could be," said Amundson. "Looking at her family up here, it’s obvious she’s done a great job with that and anyone who has flown with Hak (Savageau) knows that she is not to be reckoned with in the air and there is never any doubt as to who is in charge. She can fly and now it’s time for command.”

Savageau thanked her friends and family for all of the support she has received over the years.

"Ryan (husband), without your support I could not do this mom and TR fighter pilot gig," she said. "Colbie (daughter) and Luke (son), you guys have grown up in the 69th. You didn't choose to be in the Air Force but you wear the badge well. I pray that you continue to have fun with us on this crazy journey."

Savageau is a command pilot with more than 2000 flying hours, including 80 combat hours. She has been with the 944th Fighter Wing since 2007.

As the 69th FS commander, Savageau will oversee the squadron, which provides fully qualified, combat ready, Air Force Reserve Command F-16 instructor pilots to support all aspects of 56th Fighter Wing formal course training, as well as providing support for contingency deployment needs of the Combat Air Forces.

“The men and women of the 69 FS are members of the most experienced fighter squadron in the world,” said Savageau. “We are the best at what we do and bring experience and continuity to the F-16 squadrons on base. Over the next few months I want us to remember the excitement we had when we joined the Reserves and try to get back to that place.”

• Date Taken: 10.20.2017
• Date Posted: 02.14.2018 16:28
• Story ID: 252772
• Location: LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ, US
• Hometown: GLENDALE, AZ, US