HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Col. Brad Lyons replaced Col. Lance Landrum as the 388th Fighter Wing commander Friday during a change of command ceremony.
“I actually feel like we are coming home,” Lyons said. “This community has been so gracious to us. We were here from 2008 to 2010. We feel like we are coming home to our neighbors, and it’s just a great honor to be back here and to get to lead the phenomenal men and women of the 388th.”
Lyons will lead the 388th Fighter Wing as transition to the F-35 Lightning II begins. He said they will begin arriving at the base in the fall.
The 388th and 419th Fighter Wings will be the first operational units to fly the F-35.
“It’s a jump in technology. It’s a different platform,” Lyons said. “It’s going to present some unique challenges — challenges on the operation side, challenges on the maintenance side. It’s a new airplane; new ways to maintain it, new technologies. So it will be a challenge, but it will be a great airplane for America.”
Lyons previously served as the 34th Fighter Squadron commander from 2009-2010.
Landrum will become director of Colonel Management at the Pentagon, where he’ll be responsible for colonel assignments, command screening boards, special assignment boards and retirements.
— Viviane Vo-Duc