OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 2d Weather Group held a change of command ceremony July 11, 2024, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Col. Joseph D. Coughlin, 557th Weather Wing commander presided over the ceremony where Col. Christopher J. Lovett relinquished command and Col. Andrew M. Frey assumed command.
“Col. Lovette and Chief Cole, thank you for your service to 2nd weather group, America’s weather wing, and the nation,” said Coughlin. “Congratulations to both of you on wildly successful careers, and best wishes as you both move on to the next chapters in your lives, as military retirees.”
Col. Frey takes charge of the group after serving as Chief of Instructor Operations at North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. He led initial qualification training of all joint operations center watch standers, working with command leadership on syllabus development to meet combatant command mission requirements.
"To the men and women of the 2nd Weather Group, I am honored to serve alongside you,” said Frey. “I was fortunate to serve in the second as a major about nine years ago, as a director of operations for second weather squadron. At that time, it really opened my eyes to what this group does and how diverse it is.”
Lovett led more than 550 active-duty, civil service and contract personnel comprised of six Squadrons and eight geographically separated units on three continents. After leaving the wing he will be retiring.
"My time in command here has been personally and professionally fulfilling, and has been a fantastic culmination of my career,” said Lovett. “It’s been an absolute honor to work with you all for the past two years.”
The 2nd WXG provides global, terrestrial, space and climatological environmental intelligence to the joint force, defense agencies, Department of Defense senior leaders, select members of the intelligence community, interagency partners, and allied nations.