HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The "Black Widows" of the 421st Fighter Squadron welcomed a new leader during a change of command ceremony here, Dec. 6.
Lt. Col. Bryan Mussler took command as Lt. Col. Nathan Heguy transitions to a new assignment after leading the Widows since June 2022.
During Heguy's command, the 421st Fighter Squadron deployed multiple times in support of national defense and was named the Air Force's top fighter squadron in 2024, earning the coveted Raytheon Trophy.
Mussler takes command after serving as the 42st Fighter Squadron director of operations since Feburary 2024.
Mussler, an F-35A Lighning II pilot, started his career as an F-16 pilot after earning his commission as a graduate of the Air Force Academy in 2009. He is a combat veteran who has completed United States Air Force Weapons School, as well as a fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.
As commander of the 421st Fighter Squadron, Mussler is responsible for the the combat readiness of pilots, operations personnel and support equipment necessary to deploy 24 F-35A Lightning II aircraft. He will also oversee a training program with nearly 3,000 sorties and 5,000 flying hours.