120th Fighter Squadron and 140th Maintenance Group welcome new command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michelle Y. Alvarez-Rea
  • 140th Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  In back-to-back Change of Command Ceremonies, Lt. Col. Paul W. Feichtinger assumed command of the 120th Fighter Squadron from Lt. Col. Mitchell A. Neff, who subsequently assumed command of the 140th Maintenance Group from Col. Brian P. Patterson.  

Feichtinger joined the Colorado Air National Guard in 2006, after 12 years of flying on active duty for the United States Air Force. As squadron commander of the 120th Fighter Squadron, Feichtinger will be responsible for a highly skilled and often deployed group of F-16 fighter pilots, known as the "Redeyes".

The Redeyes conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, air superiority, suppression of enemy air defenses, destruction of enemy air defenses and maritime operations. They maintain a mission-ready, multi-role capability to mobilize, deploy and tactically employ forces worldwide for any contingency in support of U.S. national objectives.

The 140th Maintenance Group has been under the command of Patterson since July 2011. Patterson is retiring after 31 years of service to the USAF and COANG.

Neff relinquished command of the 120 FS and assumed responsibility for the 140th Maintenance Operations Flight, 140th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 140th Maintenance Squadron that make up the 140th Maintenance Group. The 140 MXG generates more than 2,900 sorties, compiling 4,000 flight hours annually and consists of over 500 combat-ready Airmen trained in the specialized maintenance of F-16s and engine assets.  They are directly responsible for providing Mission-Ready Alert Aircraft and 24/7 support for the 140th Wing's Aerospace Control Alert Mission.