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Brig. Gen. Robert Novotny assumed command of the 57th Wing from Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt during a change of command ceremony, June 8 in the Lightning Aircraft Maintenance Unit hangar at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
The primary mission of the 57th WG is to foster innovative professionals leading advanced, realistic, multi-domain training focused on winning the high-end fight.
Novotny assumed command of the 57th WG from Leavitt during the ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Peter Gersten, United States Air Force Warfare Center commander.
Leavitt, who is leaving to become the Air Force Recruiting Service commander, was presented the Legion of Merit for the outstanding leadership she provided during her two years with the 57th WG.
During her closing remarks to the wing, Leavitt expressed gratitude for the men and women who served with her while at Nellis.
“It has been my absolute honor and privilege to serve with you as your commander these past two years," said Leavitt. “Each one of us, uniformed or civilian, have our own reason for why we joined the Air Force. I would like to thank you and your family for your decision to serve. You have chosen a noble profession to protect our citizens’ rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Leavitt passed the guidon to Novotny after members of the 57th WG gave her their final salute.
Novotny commissioned in 1992 upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He earned his wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas, and has since completed five operational F-15 assignments with extensive test and combat experience. Prior to arriving at Nellis, Novotny served as the deputy director of the Plans, Programs and Requirements Office at Headquarters Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
“What a wonderful honor to be back at Nellis and be given the immense opportunity to command this legendary organization," said Novotny during his first address to the 57th WG. “I love everything about this base and this wing. I first saw the Thunderbirds at Homestead Air Force Base in Miami, Florida, in the late 1970s and determined I needed to be a fighter pilot. My entire professional life in the Air Force has revolved around Nellis and the trials and triumphs I experienced through the incredible team of Airmen at the 57th Wing.”
Novotny concluded the ceremony with admiration and notable expectations for the 57th WG.
“The 57th Wing is the Air Force's signature wing – it is the whetstone upon which we sharpen our warriors before sending them forward to crush the enemy,” said Novotny. “We will answer our nation's call with our rally cry and my guidance to commanders, ‘building better warfighters today to guarantee victory tomorrow.’ To be back in Las Vegas, with this team of dedicated professionals is a blessing.”
The 57th WG is the most diverse flying wing in the Air Force. It is comprised of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, 57th Maintenance Group, 57th Operations Group (Close Air Support Integration Group), 57th Adversary Tactics Group; The Thunderbirds; U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School and the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2018 17:02 |
| Story ID: | 280226 |
| Location: | NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV, US |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 57th Wing bids farewell to Leavitt, welcomes Novotny, by SSgt Bailee Darbasie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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