New leader assumes command of 512th Operations Group

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Col. Karl A. Schmitkons assumed command of the 512th Operations Group in a ceremony March 8 at 10:30 at the Landings. 

The colonel's previous assignment was as the commander of the 302nd Operations Group at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., where he commanded the flying aeromedical evacuation and Modular Aerial Fire Fighting System of 320 Airmen and 12 C-130 aircraft. 

Colonel Schmitkons replaces Col. Darrell G. Young who bid farewell to the Liberty Wing Jan. 30 to take a position as the Director of Air, Space and Intelligence at 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. 

Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th Airlift Wing commander, was the officiating officer for the assumption of command. 

"This is an important and proud day," said the wing commander to the audience as he turned to his new OG commander. "Bring forth your tactical expertise and apply it to the associate C-17 world; and, OG, teach Colonel Schmitkons the strategic world to better enhance the mission and expand our horizons." 

Colonel Schmitkons is a command pilot with more than 5,600 hours in the C-130 and is scheduled to learn to fly the C-5. He assumes command of a 400 person organization, which flies the C-17 and C-5. 

"Bear with me. I'm a quick study, but I'm sure I'll need your assistance," he said. "I'll be the best C-5 pilot I can be, but my primary job is to lead you, finding the perfect balance between accomplishing the mission and managing personnel issues." 

During his speech he expressed how excited he is to become part of the Liberty Wing family. 

"I'm deeply honored for being invited into this family," said the colonel. "You have shown in the past that you have no problem meeting challenges as seen in the results of your recent Operational Readiness Inspection. It's an honor to become part of such a winning team."