146th Mission Support Group welcomes new commander

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michelle Ulber | California Air National Guard members from the 146th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group conduct a change of command ceremony at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Oct. 5, 2019. Col. John R. Connolly is replacing outgoing commander Col. Lawrence “Jack” Phillips as the group commander. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Michelle Ulber)  

PORT HUENEME, CA, UNITED STATES

10.05.2019

Story by Senior Airman Michelle Ulber 

146 Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard

The 146th Airlift Wing (146 AW) Mission Support Group (MSG) conducted a change of command ceremony at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Oct. 5, 2019.
Col. John R. Connolly, who has served with the 146th Airlift Wing for over 25 years, accepted command from outgoing commander Col. Lawrence “Jack” Phillips, who served as the MSG commander since August 2018.
Before coming to serve at the 146th AW, Col. Phillips served as the Deputy Director of Human Resources at National Guard Bureau in Washington D.C.
“I’m looking forward to serving at the Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) in Sacramento and being able to assist all five wings,” said Phillips.
Returning incoming MSG Commander Col. Connolly is enthusiastic to be back at his old squadron and to resume several of the projects Col. Phillips began.
“I get to continue some of the great work that Col. Phillips has done here with the base beautification projects. I’m looking forward to making sure that every airman is recognized for the hard work that they do every day here,” said Connolly.
Philipps who served with the 146 AW says he’ll miss the airmen most and will remember everything they taught him about accomplishing the mission.
“I completely loved working at the 146th. I liked the teamwork and passion that the airmen would put into their jobs, no matter what was brought out in front of them. The folks here taught me enthusiasm. It was an easy command from their experience and willingness to do work. I took from this wing everything that the Airmen put into the mission. That is what I want to bring to JFHQ,” said Philipps.

• Date Taken: 10.05.2019
• Date Posted: 10.06.2019 16:39
• Story ID: 346222
• Location: PORT HUENEME, CA, US