MADISON, Wis. — Airmen of the 115th Fighter Wing attended the wing change of command ceremony in hangar 406 Oct. 1.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, thanked Col. Jeffrey Wiegand for his contributions as commander of the wing. He then assured the Airmen in attendance that the incoming commander would continue to build on Wiegand’s previous success.

“Col. Erik Peterson is ready for the responsibility,” Dunbar said. “I have full confidence in his leadership and I’m confident that he will take this wing, build on all the great accomplishments, focus on the mission and the Airmen, and take the wing even higher.”

Wiegand is now the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s chief of staff. His final speech as the fighter wing commander also reassured Airmen that they would be left in good hands.

“With Col. Peterson as commander, there is no doubt that the future is very strong for the fighter wing,” Wiegand said.

Once the flag was passed from the old commander to the new, Peterson was given his first opportunity to address the Airmen he would now lead. He took a moment to speak about his vision for his time as commander.

“President Kennedy stated, ‘Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future,’” Peterson said. “With the world-class team of the 115th Fighter Wing, I am excited for our future.”