Travis welcomes new 60th Mission Support Group commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Mission Support Group welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony Aug. 8 at Travis Air Force Base.

The change of command is an official, formal and brief ceremony that is the military's way of bestowing command responsibility of a unit to one officer. The ceremony is traditionally performed in front of members of the unit allowing each person to observe the placing of authority and responsibility on the new commander.

Col. Doug Bugado served as the 60th MSG commander for two years before transferring command to Lt. Col. George Dietrich.

"I've been proud to be part of the Golden Bear team," Bugado said. "I am pleased and appreciative of the efforts of every Airman getting the mission done every day, it is awe-inspiring."

As the commander of the 60th MSG Bugado directed 2,200 Airmen in six squadrons responsible for civil engineering, communications, contracting, logistics, base security and services that support a base community of 135,000 people. He controlled an annual budget of more than S100 million and resources exceeding $5 billion.

Bugado expressed his exuberance for his replacement and the high level of talent he's witnessed at Travis.

"Travis has been blessed with professional and outstanding performers throughout the group," Bugado said. "I am thrilled that colonel select Dietrich is here and I know he is going to take the team to the next level and continue to build relationships with the community, adding on to the legacy that is Travis."

Dietrich recently graduated from the National Defense University's Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. His first assignment was at Travis from July 1995 to April 1998, serving in various positions including aerial port duty officer, air passenger flight commander and Operations Group duty officer.

"This is the premier mission support group in the Air Force," Dietrich said. "I am truly excited for this assignment. I am confident in moving this team forward. This has got to be the best job in the Air Force."