388th Fighter Wing welcomes new commander
By Donovan K. Potter, 388th Fighter Wing
/ Published June 23, 2017
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Col. Lee E. Kloos assumed command of the 388th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony here today.
“You have a single focus. It’s not easy, but it’s very clear. That is to be combat ready, and when called upon, go violently to take airpower to the fight,” Kloos said during his address to the 388th FW. “My focus is on you; to take care of you and to take care of your families and make sure you have the resources you need to execute that mission.”
Kloos added he would be out front knocking down every wall that could possibly stop the wing from carrying out its mission.
Lt. Gen. Mark D. Kelly, 12th Air Force commander, presided at the ceremony.
“The word team is sometimes overused today. And the word alone doesn’t make you a championship team,” Kelly said of the 388th FW. “I have been around this team and I have flown with this team. This is a championship team.”
As 388th FW commander, Kloos is responsible for the readiness, training, morale, and welfare of 1,800 personnel who maintain and operate 70 primary assigned F-16CM and F-35A aircraft across six squadrons and the Utah Test and Training Range.
Kloos assumed command from Col. David B. Lyons who served as the 388th FW commander since June 2015. Lyons is moving to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., as vice commander of 12th AF.