Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, Mo -- The Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Mission Support Group welcomed a new commander Saturday as Lt. Col. Mike Evans accepted command of the unit here.
Col. Ken Eaves, the 131st Bomb Wing commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. Bill Boothman relinquished command. Eaves spoke of the unique challenges that face a mission support group commander and remarked that there is no more difficult command in the Air Force. He thanked Boothman for a job well done.
"It takes special people to command the 131st Mission Support Group,” said Eaves. “Col. Boothman has the personality and the leadership to command anywhere and everywhere, and he was the right guy for this season of the MSG.”
Eaves said that the new season of Jefferson Barracks will be focused on state emergency duties and growing the total force relationship with the active duty counterparts at the 509th MSG, and that Evans is the right leader for the job.
Evans, who Eaves referred to as an “indispensable leader,” previously served as the deputy mission support group commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base and retired from active duty before coming out of retirement to join the Missouri Air National Guard.
“He is inheriting an amazing group,” said Eaves.
After he assumed command, Evans addressed the crowd and the Guardsmen now under his charge.
“I am truly humbled and honored to command such a tremendous team of high-caliber Airman and I pledge to meet the many challenges facing our wing with all of my energy and commitment,” said Evans.
Evans said that while the unit’s purpose is to remain mission focused every day, whether or not it is successful depends on each person’s priorities, noting that his are, in order: his faith, his family, America and the Air National Guard.
“To the men and women of the 131st MSG, you make the mission happen every day,” he said. For my part, I will do everything I can to ensure you have everything that you need; that you are well led, well resourced, and well organized. I look forward to serving alongside each of you.”
More information on the Missouri Air National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing can be found at http://www.131bw.ang.af.mil/. For more information on the Missouri National Guard, visit http://moguard.com/.