New commander takes charge of Det. 1

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
AVON PARK AIR FORCE TRAINING RANGE, Fla. --   Lt. Col. Charles MacLaughlin relinquished command of Detachment 1 23rd Wing as Lt. Col. Paul Neidhardt assumed command at Avon Park Air Force Training Range, Fla. Col. Billy Thompson, 23rd WG commander presided over the ceremony Oct. 4.

The change of command ceremony is a time honored tradition and is an acknowledgement of the respect for authority which is vital to a military organization.

Avon Park Air Force Training Range is located in central Florida in Polk and Highlands Counties. It is the largest bombing and gunnery range east of the Mississippi River and has approximately 400 square miles of restricted airspace and 1,000 square miles of military operating area.

"I am honored to be here today as this incredible Air Force asset that is Avon Park Air Force Training Range observes a change in leadership from one phenomenal officer to another," said Thompson.

"Avon Park Air Force Training Range plays a vital role in the training and preparation of not only Air Force assets but other joint forces, coalition allies and multiple interagency partners," he added.

MacLaughlin is a 1991 Air Force Academy graduate and command pilot with over 2,600 flight hours. He assumed command of Avon Park Air Force Training Range in July 2008.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have been and still are a nation at war, and the men and women of Avon Park Air Force Training Range play a critical role in preparing our nations forces for combat," said MacLaughlin. "The tactics, techniques and procedures that are practiced here daily are being used in theater and played a vital role in bringing Osama bin Laden to Justice."

The incoming commander, Neidhardt received a commission as a second lieutenant on Nov. 19, 1993 and is a senior pilot with over 2,400 flight hours. He has deployed to Operation Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and has 229 combat flight hours.

"I am extremely impressed with the Avon Park Air Force Training Range, its facilities and all the dedicated employees," said Neidhardt. "As an A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, I've flown here before and was impressed with the range setup, airspace and target arrays.

"I never knew this was masterfully balanced with land management and conservation, and wildlife habitat sustainment," he added. "The fact that this happens simultaneously while training the best military in the world is just amazing."

As command of Det. 1 changed hands, Neidhardt said he hopes to continue to build on the success of his predecessor.