HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The "Fighting Fuujins" of the 4th Fighter Squadron welcomed a new leader during a change of command ceremony here, May 22.
Lt. Col. Adam Thompson took command as Lt. Col. Jondavid Hertzel transitions to a new assignment after leading the Fuujins since June 2023.
During Hertzel's command, the 4th FS deployed multiple times in support of national defense.
Thompson takes command after serving as the 34th Fighter Squadron director of operations since November 2023.
Thompson, an F-35A Lighning II evaluator pilot, started his career as an F-1EE pilot after earning his commission as a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program. During his career, he has served as squadron mobility officer, flight commander and exchange officer with the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. He has more than 2,000 flying hours.
As commander of the 4th Fighter Squadron, Thompson 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.