AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Brig. Gen. Lance Landrum took command of the 31st Fighter Wing from Maj. Gen. Barre Seguin during a change of command ceremony, June 10, 2016, here.
Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray, 3rd Air Force commander, who passed the wing colors to Landrum and wished Seguin farewell.
“I have the best job in the Air Force … and I say that because, at the heart of USAFE-AFAFRICA, is the 31st Fighter Wing,” said Ray. “I know no other leader [than Maj. Gen. Seguin] who's worked so hard to create a leadership environment where leaders can succeed. It's going to be a sad goodbye, but the [U.S. Africa Command] J5 needs his leadership. We're proud to have [Brig. Gen. Landrum] here, and I'm absolutely convinced he'll do a great job leading this wing.”
Landrum became the 14th commander to lead the only U.S. fighter wing south of the Alps. This strategic location makes the wing critical to NATO security operations. Landrum joins the Aviano team from headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., where he was the director of the U.S. Air Force Colonels Management office.
“Thank you for the trust you placed in me to assume this responsibility,” said Landrum. “Your nation and NATO asks a lot of you and you find ways to make the mission happen. I’m so very humbled to be your commander.”
Seguin will serve as the director of Strategy, Plans and Program (J5) for USAFRICOM, Stuttgart, Germany.
“This has always been Nancy’s favorite place on earth, and now it’s mine,” said Seguin. “After these past two years, I can’t find adequate descriptors for Team Aviano’s many and great accomplishments. You are why I continue to serve.”