Maj. Kerrigan takes command of the 434th CES

Photo By Senior Airman Cali Elliott | U.S. Air Force Maj. Timothy Kerrigan receives a guidon from Col. Scott Russell, 434th Mission Support Group commander during a change of command ceremony at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., June 4, 2017. During the ceremony, Maj. Timothy Kerrigan took command of the 434th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cali Wetli)  

GRISSOM AIR FORCE BASE, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

06.28.2017

Courtesy Story

434th Air Refueling Wing

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --
The 434th Civil Engineer Squadron welcomed Maj. Timothy Kerrigan as their new commander June 4, 2017, during a change of command ceremony at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.

Kerrigan took the place of Lt. Col. James Ballas, who served as the 434th CES commander for 18 months.

“This is a transition where we can celebrate the accomplishments of Colonel Ballas as he gets ready to leave the unit and welcome in Major Kerrigan,” said Col. Scott Russell, 434th Mission Support Group commander.

The 434th CES not only received Kerrigan as commander, but also his abundance of engineering experience and knowledge he brings to the table.

Kerrigan is an instructor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, working on his PhD in mechanical engineering.

“You are getting a seasoned, experienced commander coming into the unit with a great engineering background,” said Russell.

Kerrigan has been a part of the Air Force Reserve for nearly 31 years.

“We have an awesome road ahead of us and I am so excited to be a part of it,” said Kerrigan.

As previous commander of the 434th CES, Ballas helped push his squadron to excellence and get individuals the recognition they deserved.

His contributions led to the Mission Support Group being recognized as the best MSG in the 4th Air Force and his squadron receiving both the best civil engineering squadron in the Air Force Reserve Command and the Society of American Military Engineers recognition.

“This has been the highlight of my career,” said Ballas. “I couldn’t be more proud to have been your commander. I look forward to watching the success that we have in the future, the mission and seeing each and everyone’s careers advance.”

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.

• Date Taken: 06.28.2017
• Date Posted: 01.30.2018 12:29
• Story ID: 263877
• Location: GRISSOM AIR FORCE BASE, INDIANA, US