It was a double celebration at Biddle Air National Guard Base as PAANG Col. Matthew Sands was not only promoted to his current rank of Colonel, but also assumed command of the 111th Medical Group here during a ceremony on Feb. 3, 2024.
During the change of command ceremony, Col. Adam Colombo relinquished command of the 111th MDG.
“I couldn’t have done anything without all of you,” said Colombo. “I just give you guys the tools to work with, but you have the recipes, you cook it up, and you serve it to the people.”
Sands looks forward to maintaining and building upon Colombo’s legacy.
“When I got the answer about the unit’s Individual Medical Readiness during my interview,” said Sands, “That told me I was coming into a shop that was sharp, on point, and serious about the mission.”
The Wing has an IMR compliance rate of 89.7% and was number one in the Air National Guard for flu shots for three weeks, according to Col. Lynn Lee, 111th Attack Wing commander.
Sands intends to maintain these standards —expressing that the unit would not only have his support, but also his family’s.
“You do not just get me, you get my entire leadership team, which my wife is a part of,” said Sands. “I am giving you my family, and I look forward to being a part of yours. Because what I think is unique about the Guard and different from active duty is that we become a family.”