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Maintenance commanders cross paths once again during change of command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  Two aircraft maintenance commanders who worked together at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., were reunited after 10 years during a change of command here June 19.

Col. Clifton Blanks relinquished command of the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group to Col. Lawrence Gatti, who once worked under Colonel Blanks as the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron's maintenance supervisor in 1999.

Col. Steven Kwast, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and presiding official for the ceremony, wished a fond farewell for Colonel Blanks who served nearly a year in Afghanistan.

"[Colonel Blanks] is a man who fiercely fought for each and every one of you," he said in front of dozens of aircraft maintainers standing in formation. "He may have had an easy-going personality, but he fought hard to take care of all because he loved you like his own family."

During his tenure at Bagram, Colonel Blanks commanded more than 850 Airmen who were charged with maintaining more than 40 aircraft that flew approximately 18,500 sorties. In addition, the group never missed an air tasking order during a critical A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft swap out due to potential airframe cracks, and quickly rallied together for a historic recovery effort to remove a C-17 Globemaster that landed wheels up.

"I could recount a long list of numbers and records involving sorties, hours or munitions employed, but that's not what I'll remember in the long run," Colonel Blanks explained. "What I'll remember is the selfless service and sacrifices you all displayed on so many occasions in ultimately providing unbelievable support to U.S. and coalition forces across Afghanistan. I've never been prouder to wear this uniform and serve our great country."

Colonel Gatti, a graduate of the Ohio State University Reserve Officer Training Corps, previously served as the Systems Support Division, Directorate of Logistics chief at Langley Air Force Base, Va., before volunteering for the one-year assignment as Bagram's maintenance group commander.

"Thanks for volunteering," Colonel Blanks said to Colonel Gatti shortly before handing over the unit guidon. "We've been friends for years and I know you're perfect for this job. I can't tell you how comforting it is to turn over something as near and dear to me as this group, to a friend who I know will take great care of his Airmen."

Colonel Gatti enlisted in the Air Force in 1975 before separating in 1984 to pursue his commission. Since he received his commission in 1986, Colonel Gatti has served in various aircraft maintenance positions at stateside bases and overseas. Some of his assignments include: Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Hill AFB, Utah; Shaw AFB, S.C. and Langley AFB, Va.; Taegu Air Base, South Korea, and Spandahlem Air Base, Germany.

As the maintenance group commander, Colonel Gatti is responsible for hundreds of Airmen who provide aircraft maintenance and sortie generation for F-15E Strike Eagles, A-10 Thunderbolts, several C-130 airframes and launch, recovery and servicing support for military and commercial transient aircraft.

"I'm truly humbled by the opportunity to serve with the finest maintainers and aircraft in the Air Force inventory," he said. "I will work hard to follow in Colonel Blanks' footsteps. Our number one priority will continue to be taking care of the people on the ground [outside the wire]."