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Spehar takes command of 127MXG

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Dan Heaton
  • 127th Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD, Mich. --  Lt. Col. David Spehar took command of the 127th Maintenance Group during a formal change of command ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base during the April 2016 regularly scheduled drill of the 127th Wing.

In a ceremony witnessed by the more than 400 Airmen of the 127MXG and several dozen guests, the command guidon of the Group was passed from the former commander, Col. Rolf Mammen, to Spehar. Mammen is now serving as the 127th Wing vice commander.

Spehar is a familiar face to the 127th MXG. He had been serving as the commander of the 127th Maintenance Squadron, a component of the MXG, since 2011. In 2015, he served as the deployed commander of 127th Maintenance personnel during a six month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, during which 127th Wing personnel set a number of performance records during combat engagements in Operation Inherent Resolve. Spehar first came to the 127th Wing in 2000, serving as a maintenance officer for first C-130 Hercules aircraft and later KC-135 Stratotankers, before moving to the A-10 Thunderbolt II operations in the Wing in 2011.

"Lt. Col. Spehar is not only the right person to lead our maintenance operations right now, but with his breadth of experience, he is also the right person to lead this group as we move forward toward an enduring fight mission at Selfridge," said Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, commander of the 127th Wing, who presided at the change of command ceremony.

During the ceremony, which was opened by a rousing rendition of the National Anthem played on guitar by Spehar son, Dave, the new commander said that the challenge to the Group is to continue to build upon recent successes.

"To do that we must use the strengths of the diversity that we bring to the table from all of the Airmen who stand in formation today," he said.

Mammen, a former C-130 pilot, has served in a wide variety of capacities since affiliating with the 127th Wing in 1994.

During comments in which he singled out many 127 MXG members for specific positive memories, Mammen spoke of the various battle streamers and awards that are affixed to the Group's guidon. He highlighted that the current members of the Group have now added to that collection of accomplishments, through their work in Inherent Resolve.

And, he said - "believe it or not" - I am going to miss walking the flight line at 10 degrees below zero and watching the professionals of the MXG launching aircraft.

The 127th MXG is comprised of the 127th Maintenance Squadron, 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 127th Maintenance Operations Flight. The unit traces its history to the World War I era. Since its inception, it has been affiliated with the 107th Fighter Squadron and the 107th's predecessor units. Since 2009, the MXG has supported operations of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.