Preece assumes command of 130th Operations Group

Photo By Staff Sgt. Caleb Vance | Lt. Col. Bryan Preece, incoming commander of the 130th Operations Group, stands at attention while family members affix his new rank of colonel to his uniform March 4, 2018, at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. Preece was promoted to the rank of colonel prior to assuming command of the 130th OG from Col. Jack “Jody” Richmond. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance)  

CHARLESTON, WV, UNITED STATES

03.09.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Caleb Vance 

130th Airlift Wing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Col. Jody Richmond relinquished command of the 130th Operations Group to Col. Bryan Preece during a formal change of command ceremony held Mar. 3, 2018 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia.

Col. Johnny Ryan, 130th Airlift Wing commander, presided over the ceremony with West Virginia Army and Air National Guard leadership as well as 130th Airlift Wing command staff in attendance.

“Bryan, I am here to challenge you,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General. “Take these Airmen and keep them growing, keep them ready. In a world as volatile as ours is becoming, we as a National Guard have to be ready to protect and defend.”

Not only did Preece assume command this day, but he was also promoted from the rank of lieutenant colonel to colonel, which was a special moment for him. He reassured the leadership, and former commander, that the continuation of readiness in all capacities will remain the number one focus.

“When I turned 18 and joined, I didn't put that much thought into it. I knew I was going to get free college, a little bit of money, some benefits and of course the privilege of serving my country, but I couldn't have imagined that one day I’d be in a spot like I am now,” Preece recalled. “And as my career goes on, my love for these Airmen, this state and this country keeps growing exponentially. I love being here and I am so proud of it.”

Preece entered service in January of 1994 where he started as an Air Transportation Specialist for the 130th AW. Five years later, he became a line pilot for the unit. He served as a line pilot for seven years before earning a spot as the 130th Operations Group Chief of Training. After that, he served as the B Flight commander, a C-130 Evaluator Pilot, the A Flight commander, the Chief of Standards and Evaluation for the 130th OG, 130th Maintenance Group deputy commander and the 130th OG deputy commander.

In his first speech as the OG commander, Preece set forth two simple goals.

The first was that he expects everyone to be outstanding at their core competencies and stressed that in the military, change is inevitable and that the unit has to be great at what they do so they can handle the challenges all while being safe and successful. The second had a deeper focus. He explained the need for the culture of fellowship and family that had been created within the wing to keep expanding and further its reach. He challenged all supervisors to get to know their people personally, not just who they are but what makes them who they are.

• Date Taken: 03.09.2018
• Date Posted: 03.09.2018 15:36
• Story ID: 268864
• Location: CHARLESTON, WV, US