Support group under new leadership

  • Published
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 55th Mission Support Group held a change of command ceremony July 14 at the Offutt Fire Station on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Joganich took command from U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Kuhl during the tradition-rich military service.

"To the men and women of the 55th Wing and the 55th Mission Support Group, thank you for your warm welcome," Joganich said. "(My family and I) are really looking forward to being part of the 55th Wing."

U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander, was the presiding official and said Joganich is the perfect leader to take command of the MSG.

"Matt is an exceptional leader and visionary and I have no doubt he will take this group to new heights," Reynolds said.

Joganich comes to Offutt after serving as Air Forces Central's director of installations at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. In that role he was responsible for all civil engineering and operational contracting actions supporting U.S. Air Forces assigned to the United States Central Command's area of responsibility.

"He's absolutely the right commander at the right time to lead this amazing group," Reynolds said. "I know he will dedicate himself to his people, mission and will take pride in everything he does."

Joganich graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago and was commissioned through the Air Force's Officer Training School in July 1993. He takes command of a group which provides engineering, security, mission support, services, supply, transportation, contracting and deployment readiness programs to more than 57,000 active duty, dependent and retiree personnel.

"Your reputation precedes you," he said to the members of the 55th MSG. "You have a lot to be proud of and will continue to have a lot to be proud of as we continue to provide excellent customer support to the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth and Offutt Air Force Base."

Kuhl has led the 55th MSG since July 2013 and was presented with the Legion of Merit for his service. He departs for the Air Force Civil Engineer Center in San Antonio where he will serve as director of staff.

"We are all so grateful for what Charlie did for Offutt and the local community," Reynolds said. "The Fightin' Fifty-Fifth will miss the Kuhl family."

Kuhl thanked all of the MSG squadrons for their hard work, dedication and accomplishments during his two-year command tour.

"It's been an absolute honor and privilege to serve beside you," he said. "I look forward to seeing the great impact (Matt) is going to have over the next few years as he takes the mission support group higher and higher during his tenure."

The 55th MSG includes more than 1,500 active duty personnel, civilians and contractors.