WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. — The 442d Operations Group transferred command from Col. Mike Leonas, the outgoing 442d OG commander, to Col. Mark Orek, the incoming 442d OG commander, during a ceremony in the 5-bay at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., May 14, 2022.
Col. Steve Nester, the 442d Fighter Wing commander, presided over the ceremony.
Nester thanked Leonas for his dedication to the mission especially as a commander for the past two years during the height of the pandemic. Leonas will continue working with Nester as the 442d FW vice wing commander.
Orek will be responsible for the combat readiness of more than 100 personnel and 24 A-10C attack aircraft.
“It’s the people that make the 442d special,” said Orek. “People with a shared value for service to each other and service to this Nation. It’s an honor to work for you and to give back to the 442d because it’s given so much to me.”