News Search

90th Mission Support Group welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Glenn Robertson
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
 

Colonel Tricia Van Den Top took command of the 90th Mission Support Group during a change-of-command ceremony on the Argonne Parade Field here June 16, 2017.

Colonel Stephen Kravitsky, 90th Missile Wing commander, served as the presiding officer and gave his thoughts on the value Verdugo brought to the command, then stated why Van Den Top is up to the challenge.

“Frank Verdugo is a phenomenal leader who made the impossible happen,” said Kravitsky. “But as we say goodbye to one member of the family, we are lucky to welcome another. Col. Tricia Van Den Top is a highly experienced officer with a diverse background in both the medical community and the mission support group. We are proud to have her.”

Col. Frank Verdugo, outgoing commander, will continue his Air Force career at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Van Den Top began her career in the 90th Medical Operations Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base as a staff and clinical nurse. She is returning to F. E. Warren after a tour of duty as the 28th Mission Support Group deputy commander at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

She noted that she has big shoes to fill, but is excited to take command of the 90 MSG.

“I have observed a well-run, highly-effective organization which is a testament to Col. Verdugo’s leadership and a group filled with professionals and the best sons and daughters America has to offer,” she said. “This is the assignment of a lifetime, and I am very pleased to return to where my career started. I look forward to building on the 90th Mission Support Group’s already outstanding accomplishments.”

A change-of-command ceremony is a tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.