NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE Fort Worth, Texas -- Members of the 301st Mission Support Group welcomed Col. L. Gregg Russell as their new commander, Jan. 12, 2020 at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
Col. Mitchell Hanson, 301st Fighter Wing commander, presided over the assumption of command ceremony during which Russell formally took the helm of the 301 MSG.
“We searched high and low to fill the large gap created when Col. Trina Hood [former 301 MSG commander] left, but we actually didn’t have to go very far… he was in Azle, Texas [about 17 miles north of the base],” Hanson said. “He is exactly the leader we need to lead the largest, most diverse group in the 301st Fighter Wing.”
Russell has firsthand knowledge of diversity as he served in various roles over the course of his Air Force career. He was an enlisted Airman prior to commissioning and has gone from being a firefighter to the deputy director for logistics, engineering and force protection at a Numbered Air Force.
As the MSG commander, he is now responsible for leading six squadrons and five civilian departments comprised of more than 650 Reserve, Active Guard Reserve, and civilian personnel.
After assuming command, Russell spoke about strategic alignment with his new troops.
“The whole idea behind this is to link our strategies and our resources to create synergy. We’re all aimed in the same direction,” said Russell. “I believe in this. I think it’s vitally important to ensure that every one of you understand how you make a difference in this wing, in this group, and in your squadrons. What you do is important--what you do matters.”