442d Fighter Wing welcomes Col Steve Nester as new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alex Chase
  • 442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Col. Steve Nester assumed command of the 442d Fighter Wing from Brig. Gen. Mike Schultz December 4, 2021, in a ceremony held in the 5-bay maintenance hangar here.

Nester, a former vice commander of the 442 FW, is a command pilot with more than 3000 hours in the A-10 attack aircraft, and has flown in support of Operations Deny Flight, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. 

Prior to assuming command of the 442 FW, Nester served as mobilization assistant to the A3/A6 Pacific Air Forces Director. In this capacity, he advised and coordinated with numbered air forces and various wings to facilitate all air, cyber, and space operations in the INDOPACOM theater.

In his civilian capacity, Nester is employed by a major airline as a Boeing 777 first officer.