HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – The 388th Fighter Wing, the Air Force’s premier F-35A Lightning II unit, welcomed a new commander June 30.
Col. Charles Fallon took command and Col. Michael Gette relinquished command during a ceremony here presided over by 15th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. David Lyons.
Fallon has served as the commandant of the United States Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for the past two years and is taking over as Gette, who has been with the wing for four years (as deputy commander and then commander) transitions to a role with NATO.
“Col. Fallon has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead in diverse and demanding environments,” Lyons said. “Given his outstanding resume and ability to lead on the tactical edge, it is clear that Col. Fallon is the ideal choice to lead this wing.”
Fallon, who received his commission as an officer in 2003, is a command pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours, including more than 616 combat hours. He holds multiple graduate degrees and is a graduate of the Air Force Academy, Air University, and National War College. Prior to serving as Weapons School commandant, Fallon was the chief of the Strategy Integration Division for Strategy, Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
“I’m humbled to stand here before you today. I’m ready to work tirelessly for you and your teams,” Fallon told the wing. “We are going to continue to push the limit and raise the bar to prepare for future combat operations in defense of this country.”
Fallon also took time to recognize the many assembled elected officials and community leaders, noting the reputation of Utah and Hill Air Force Base’s “outstanding community relationship.”
The primary mission of the 388th FW is to maintain combat readiness to deploy, employ, and sustain F-35 aircraft worldwide in support of the national defense. There are approximately 2,000 airmen and civilian professionals assigned to the 388th FW. The wing flies and maintains 78 of the Air Force's most advanced multi-role fighter aircraft and also oversees test and training operations on the Utah Test and Training Range.