Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Hamilton assumes command of 102nd Mission Support Group

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrick McKenna
  • 102nd Intelligence Wing Public Affairs
OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. --  Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Hamilton assumed command of the 102nd Mission Support Group (102nd MSG) from Col. Christopher Faux during a ceremony here, Sept. 15. Colonel Patrick Cobb, 102nd Intelligence Wing commander, presided over the ceremony in the headquarters hangar.

Faux, who has been a member of the 102nd Wing (102nd IW) for nearly 25 years, expressed his appreciation of all the hard work and accomplishments he observed while leading the 102nd MSG. He also assured the crowd he will remain close to the 102nd IW and its Airmen as he moves on to his next assignment as Director of Staff for the Air National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters.

"We shared the pleasure of good times, the challenges in tough times and through it all we persevered," Faux said. "The men and women of the mission support group are truly the glue that keeps this place together. I promise as I get to headquarters to never forget my roots. This is my home. This is where I came from."

Col. Cobb emphasized this transition of leadership will be aided by Hamilton's experience in the wing, especially the last eight years while he has been the 102nd Security Forces Squadron commander.

"Col. Hamilton comes into the new command with a great foundation as a squadron commander inside the mission support group," Cobb said. "So to me, I see it as a comfort that he knows a portion of the mission inside the group and he'll quickly come up to speed in the other missions. He'll be a great group commander and will continue the work that Col. Faux has instituted and take the group to new heights."

Hamilton thanked the wing leadership for giving him the chance to lead the mission support group and vowed to live up to the enormous responsibility the position demands.

"Thank you for this awesome opportunity," Hamilton said. "I assure you I don't take the responsibility of command lightly. I will endeavor every day to be worthy of my title and of the people of whom I am responsible."

Hamilton then addressed the Airmen he's now tasked with commanding and expressed excitement for what their future holds.

"To the men and women of the mission support group," Hamilton said. "I am very much looking forward to getting to know each of you and your respective missions. We have very important work to do together and I'm very excited to get started. Together I know we can achieve new heights."