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498 MUMG changes commanders

  • Published
  • By Stefan Bocchino
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base --  The 498th Munitions Maintenance Group had a change of command ceremony June 10 at the Phillips Space Conference Center here, where Col. Paul Irwin Jr. turned command over to Col. Thomas Ventriglia.

The presiding officer was Col. Walter Lindsley, 498th Nuclear Systems Wing commander. The 498 MUMG is at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

"Part of today's ceremony is to honor the two gentlemen on the stage, as we mark the ending of a chapter for Colonel Irwin and the beginning of a chapter for Colonel Ventriglia and for the units that they command," said Colonel Lindsley. "During the change of command ceremony, Colonel Irwin will hand the guidon to me. When he's handing me that guidon, he's handing me every one of your hearts and minds. That guidon represents you. Then I'm going to hand Colonel Ventriglia the guidon. I am handing him the helm of one of the most powerful groups in the United States Air Force, and that is awesome and awe-inspiring."

Colonel Ventriglia comes to the 498 MUMG from the Air Force Inspection Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he was the director of inspections and oversight. In his 23-year career, he has been a two-time squadron commander and held other positions of responsibility. He was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1987.

After the ceremony, Colonel Ventriglia spoke to the men and women of his new command.

"Our unit has to be ready to do its job, and we have to be ready to look out for each other to make sure we are mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually ready to do what we are required to do," said Colonel Ventriglia. "We can never forget that we are entrusted with great responsibility. We have to be ready for a lot of changes in the coming years. We have to be flexible. I take this task very seriously."

Colonel Irwin had commanded the 498 MUMG since January 2010. After the change of command, He retired from the Air Force after more than 25 years of service.