Col. John Puttre, the Wisconsin National Guard Director of Staff for Air, offers the Operations Group guidon to Col. James Locke, the inbound Operations Group commander, on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Col. Locke gained command from Col. Michael Mayo, who assumed the responsibilities of the 128th Air Refueling Wing's vice commander. Shown in the photograph is, from left, Col. John Puttre, Col. James Locke, and Col. Michael Mayo. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth Pagel / Released)

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Col. John Puttre (left), Col. James Locke (center), and Col. Michael Mayo (right) participate in the change-of-command ceremony in the 128th Air Refueling Wing Operations Group briefing room on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Col. Locke is the new Operations Group commander, and his predecessor, Col. Mayo, now serves as the vice commander of the 128 ARW. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth Pagel / Released)

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Col. Michael Mayo, the out-going 128th Air Refueling Wing Operations Group commander and current Wing vice commander, addresses gathered Airmen in the Operations Group briefing room on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Col. Mayo's successor, Col. James Locke, pictured left, was previously the commander of the 128 ARW Maintenance Group. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth Pagel / Released)

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Change of Command in Operations Group

Published Feb. 5, 2011
By Senior Airman Ryan Kuntze
128th Air Refueling Wing

MILWAUKEE -- Col. James Locke assumed command of the 128th Air Refueling Wing Operations Group at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Gen. Mitchell International Airport here.

Col. Locke, who formerly commanded the 128 ARW Maintenance Group, gained command from Col. Michael Mayo, who is now the vice commander of the Wing.

During his departure speech to the Airmen of the 128 ARW Operations Group, Col. Mayo said that he had planned to do his best when he assumed command of the operations group, that he hopes he accomplished his goal, and that he plans to do the same while serving as the vice commander of the 128 ARW.

"Coming from Operations, going to the vice commander's position, the picture [of the base] becomes more broad, more clear," Col. Mayo said. "As an operator, you only see where you work; as a commander, you see all components of the Wing."