Three new Air National Guard command changes have recently been announced by Maj. Gen. Scott Hammond, Commander, GA ANG. The 165th Airlift also announced changes recently in its command structure.

Lt. Col. Dick Austin, Commander of the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, is set to retire from the Georgia Air National Guard in August. Succeeding Austin will be Lt. Col. Deborah Nazimiec, currently commander of Macon's 202nd Engineering Installation Squadron. Returning to the 202nd as its commander will be Lt. Col. Eric Jones, currently Military Personnel Management officer on the Joint HQ Staff in Atlanta.

Lt. Col. Dick Austin retires following 28 years of service to the Georgia National Guard. He commanded two GSUs during this time, the 117th Air Control Squadron at Hunter Army Airfield and most recently the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron in Brunswick. Under Austin's direction, the two units have accumulated three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. He commanded the 117th ACS during its six-month deployment to Iraq in 2006.

Lt. Col. Austin is succeeded by Lt. Col. Deborah Nazimiec who has commanded the 202nd Engineer Installation Squadron for five years. Lt. Col. Nazimiec was the first woman in Georgia Air National Guard to command a geographically separated unit (GSU). The unit was recently awarded its sixth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award this year. Nazimiec has guided the move of the 202nd from the Macon airport onto Robins AFB, a move brought about by BRAC decisions.

Lt. Col. Eric Jones returns to the 202nd EIS as a traditional guardsman to serve as it next commander. He served as the deputy commander for the 202nd for three years. He served for three years as the Military Personnel Manager officer with HQ, GA ANG and will remain in this fulltime position as Military Personnel Management Officer on the Joint HQ staff.

"Lt. Col. Dick Austin has served ably as a commander for two ANG units and retires with a stellar record to the Air Guard," said Maj. Gen. Hammond.

"We are extremely fortunate that we have two commanders - Lt.Col. Deb Nazimiec and Lt.Col. Eric Jones- who have the proven leadership abilities and are ready to move into these command positions ensuring a seamless transition both for the 224th and the 202nd.

And at the 165th Airlift Wing, three changes in division chiefs were announced. New commanders were announced at the Wing’s logistics, Civil engineering and Mission Support Group.

Lt Col D Lawrence Eaddy was selected to serve as the new Commander of the 165th Logistics Readiness Squadron, an element of the 165th Airlift Wing

 Lt Col Eaddy began his military career when he graduated from the Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1985.  After seven years of service in the U S Air Force as a Civil Engineer he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and the 165th Airlift Wing.  He has served in ever increasing positions of service including serving as a Biomedical Sciences Officer and Environmental Manager.

At the 165th Civil Engineering Squadron, Lt. Col. Salvador Sanchez-Troche is the new commander. 

 A native of Humacao and Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Lt. Col. Sanchez-Troche’ military career began in 1985 when he joined the Texas Air National Guard.  Later that same year he was commissioned as an officer in the 149th Civil Engineering Squadron.  Since a transfer in 1988, Lt. Col. Sanchez-Troche has served in the 165th Airlift Wing in a number of supervisory roles within the Civil Engineering Squadron. 

From left to right: Sanchez-Troche, Freesemann, and Eaddy

 And, at the Wing’s Mission Support Group Lt Col Todd Freesemann has been promoted to the command rank of Colonel and will assume command of the 165th Mission Support Group, an element of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard.  Col Freesemann assumes command following the retirement of Col. Charles McMillan. 

 Col Freesemann previously served as the Director of Support.  His new command includes direct supervision of Civil Engineering, Logistics Readiness, Mission Support, Communications, Services, Contracting, Medical and Aerial Port.  

 A graduate of West Point, Col Freesemann began his military service as an Engineering Officer.  After nine years of service in the Army, he joined the Georgia Air National Guard and the 165th Airlift Wing serving in the Civil Engineering Squadron.

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