4th Fighter Squadron welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Andrea Houck
  • Team Hill Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Lt. Col. Jay Sabia took the reigns of the 4th Fighter Squadron during a Change of Command ceremony June 10 at Hill Air Force Base.

Lt. Col. Sabia assumed command of the squadron after Lt. Col. William Bailey.

The ceremony was presided over by Col. Nathan Hill, 388th Operations Group commander, who said Lt. Col. Bailey worked all of his assignments vigorously and he will be greatly missed.

"Lt. Col. Bailey did the best job of leading the mission and preparing the team for Operation Enduring Freedom. He's left the 4th even better for the next leader," said Colonel Hill.

According to Colonel Hill, there are three main ingredients for success, which include the following: Having divine intervention, attaining a great team and possessing key talents, skills and abilities. To Colonel Hill, Lt. Col. Bailey carried all three.

During his farewell remarks, Lt. Col. Bailey thanked his family, his leadership and the dedicated Airmen of the 4th Fighter Squadron. He commended all of their accomplishments in Afghanistan and for the lessons he learned while working with them.

"Today's Change of Command is for you, Fightin Fuujinss, and for the countless lives you saved in Afghanistan for our brothers' in arms," said Lt. Col. Bailey, who also thanked Colonel Long, the 388th Fighter Wing commander, for striving to make the 388 FW the best in the Air Combat Command.

"Our leadership has made all the difference," he said.

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Sabia noted how grateful he was to be standing in front of the 4th Fighter Squadron.

"I am honored to lead this cohesive and talented squadron of Airmen," said Lt. Col. Sabia, who concluded the ceremony by commenting on the future of the 4th Fighter Squadron.

"We will be called upon again by our nation. My job is to ensure this squadron is ready to answer that call," he said.

In September 2010, the 4th Fighter Squadron deployed to Bagram Air Field Base in support of OEF. Before returning in April, the squadron flew more than 9,000 hours, 2,228 sorties and dropped nearly 300 bombs.