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15th Maintenance Group under new leadership

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  The 15th Maintenance Group said farewell to Col. David Pastore during a change of command ceremony in Hangar 19 July 28.

Pastore assumed command of the 15th MXG in July of 2013 and was presented the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service and accomplishments during the ceremony.

Just before relinquishing command to Col. Robert Copes,  Pastore thanked his special guests, 15th Wing leadership, 15th MXG leadership, his fellow group commanders, Friends of Hickam visitors and his family.

"To the men and women of the maintenance group, I know I have been demanding. I have asked you for much and over the course of the last few years you have given it," said Pastore."You are incredible leaders and I am very proud of the organization we have grown into."

Pastore said to Copes, "The Airmen of the 15th MXG are incredible and if you take care of them they will take care of you."  

In-coming Commander Copes comes to the 15th MXG after being a student at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington DC.

Col. Randy Huiss, 15th Wing commander, presided over the ceremony and acknowledged Copes as one of the top rated squadron commanders while he expressing his confidence in Copes' ability to lead the 15th MXG.

After thanking the 15th Wing leadership and members of the local community for the "warm reception," Copes addressed the Airmen of the 15th MXG.

"To the men and women of the 154th and 15th Maintenances Groups, I look forward to working with you over the next few years and continuing the outstanding partnership that has been developed," said Copes. "Our interdependences on one another has helped drive a successful track record in both of our wings and I know that if we work hard and as we mature that our relationship will only get stronger in the years to come."

As the 15 MXG commander, Copes will lead and provide operational direction to an integrated force of 500 active duty, Hawaii Air National Guard, civilian and contractor members supporting C-17, F-22 and C-37 and C-40 Special Assigned Airlift Mission aircraft to meet global airlift, global strike and theater security mission requirements.

Additionally, his group supports 6,500 joint and allied aircraft transiting through Hickam each year.

"Our primary goal is to ensure that we put safe and reliable aircraft in the air," said Copes. "We will accomplish that by being professional Airmen driven by the Air Force core values."