Colorado Air National Guard’s 140th Wing welcomes new leadership

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Col. D. Micah Fesler assumes command of the 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard in a ceremony 3 p.m. Aug. 16, 2019, on Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado. A command pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours, Fesler most recently served as the Joint Staff, J-8, Special Access Program Coordinator at the Pentagon, in Washington D.C. His responsibilities included managing Joint Staff Special Access Program aspects for programmatic, strategic, and contingency planning to support the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commanders and the Director Joint Staff J-8. (Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force  

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, CO, UNITED STATES

08.16.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Joseph VonNida 

Colorado National Guard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 16, 2019

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard will welcome its newest commander during an assumption of command ceremony 3 p.m. Aug. 16, 2019, at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora.

U.S. Air Force Col. Micah Fesler steps into the position after serving in a variety of operational, training, and staff assignments.

“It’s truly a privilege to join the 140th Wing. I look forward to working with and leading this phenomenal organization,” Fesler said. “The ongoing success of this wing is a testament to the Airmen here who are busy 365 days a year actively defending our nation in air, space, and cyberspace, both at home and abroad. I am absolutely humbled by this opportunity to serve in the Colorado National Guard and continue a tradition of support to the communities in which we live and support.”

The 140th Wing is comprised of nearly 1,600 Citizen-Airmen conducting missile warning for the National Command Authority, space control electronic warfare, air defense of the United States, global air combat operations, aircraft maintenance, civil engineering, medical, and support missions in locations spanning the Front Range and the globe. This is all while providing military first responders to Colorado communities during times of emergency and disaster.

“I want to recognize the enormous contributions of my predecessor, Col. Brian ‘Ike’ Turner, whose efforts brought the wing to a whole new level of capability and excellence,” Fesler said. “It’s an honor to take the reins from him and lead a family of Citizen-Airmen engaged in the defense of our nation and active in our communities.”

Turner’s term as commander included: unit deployments to Afghanistan, Jordan, Slovenia, Hungary, and Japan; significant upgrades to the unit’s combat capabilities; and, support to domestic operations providing assistance during various state emergencies. He ensured the members of the 140th Wing were well-equipped and always ready to serve.

Fesler is a command pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours, primarily in the F-22A and F-15C, spanning 23 years of service. He has flown combat missions over Syria and Iraq, and participated in numerous joint and coalition exercises.

Prior to this assignment, Fesler served as the Department of Defense Joint Staff J-8 Special Access Program Coordinator at the Pentagon. His responsibilities included managing DoD Special Access Programs to support the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Combatant Commanders.

• Date Taken: 08.16.2019
• Date Posted: 08.16.2019 13:13
• Story ID: 336218
• Location: BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, CO, US