HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Col. Christian G. Funk assumed command of the 482nd Fighter Wing from
Col. Donald R. Lindberg during the
482nd Fighter Wing change of command ceremony here July 14.
Maj. Gen. William B. Binger,
10th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and transferred the 482nd FW guidon from Lindberg to Funk.
During the ceremony, Binger shared his excitement for the 482nd FW and his confidence in Funk's abilities to take the wing to new heights.
"Colonel Funk has left a legacy from Moody that has followed him here; a legacy of excellence," said Binger. "He's been a highly successful commander at Moody. We're expecting great things from him, and I know he won't let us down.
"I can't tell you how extremely proud I am of what the men and women of the 482nd Fighter Wing have done in the past three years under Colonel Lindberg's command," he added. "I look forward to working with him at 10th Air Force."
The 482nd FW sees its previous commander, Lindberg, assume a new position as the 10th AF vice commander. According to Lindberg, the Airmen of the 482nd FW have delivered in spades during the last three years of his command.
"Everybody in the 482nd worked their tails off these last three years," said Lindberg. "We've made an impact in the community. This is team homestead. We've made a difference. You're trained, you're sharp, you're lethal."
Culminating the ceremony, Funk addressed the Airmen of the 482nd FW, outlining his appreciation for the Airmen and their incredible service to the country.
"I'm still in awe of what reservists do day in and day out," said Funk. "Your volunteerism and dedication to the country is incredible. You have so many things pulling at you, but you still come out here and serve your country, so my hat's off to you.
"I am a mission oriented person, so that priority will definitely come first," he added. "And I will take care of my Airmen to accomplish that mission."
Funk received his commission from the
U.S. Air Force Academy in 1985. He began his career as an
F-16 pilot in 1987 and has served as an operational test and evaluation pilot, a fighter squadron director of operations and training, an operations group chief of standardization and evaluation, a fighter wing weapons and tactics officer, and an operations group commander.
Funk has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Desert Fox, Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Prior to assuming command at Homestead ARB, Funk was the commander of the
476th Fighter Group at
Moody Air Force Base, Ga.