31st MXG receives new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Maintenance Group welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony Feb. 3 at Hangar 2 here.

Col. Fredrick Plaumann replaced Col. Dennis Shumaker as the group commander. Brig. Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., 31st Fighter Wing commander, presided over the ceremony.

Colonel Plaumann comes to Aviano from the Headquarters Air Combat Command, where he was the deputy chief of 5th Generation Division at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Previously, the colonel was the 1st Maintenance Group deputy commander at Langley AFB, Va.

During the ceremony, Colonel Plaumann highlighted the 31st MXG's need for training and efficiency.

"We must train our Airmen with the right skills and continue to focus on building a highly professional and compliance based organization with the goal of making our group even more effective," Colonel Plaumann said. "The challenges are, and will continue to be, significant and the task is daunting. But it is our solemn duty and our sacred trust to success. As the 31st Fighter Wing's motto reminds us, 'Return with Honor,' I truly believe that and I'm proud to be serving with you."

Colonel Plaumann said the opportunity to "command is always a privilege," and part of that honor is following Colonel Shumaker.

Since August 2009, Colonel Shumaker has led the 31st MXG men and women. During his tenure, the group increased its mission capable rate from 76.1 to 85 percent. The 31st MXG also passed its unit compliance and surety inspections as well as Logistics Compliance Assessment Team evaluation.

"This is what you have done when we stopped saying I can't," Colonel Shumaker said. "You are a leadership and organizational change model. And me, I just had the privilege of going along for the ride."

Colonel Shumaker said he was proud of the 31st MXG's accomplishments and expressed his sincere appreciation for what the group has done.

"I leave you with this, thank you for doing what I asked and thank you for becoming the best maintenance group in the Air Force," Colonel Shumaker said. "Take care of Colonel Plaumann the way you did me. You are beacon high upon the hill."

After 30 years in the Air Force, Colonel Shumaker retires Feb. 4. He plans to move to San Antonio, Texas, along with his wife Priscilla.