New commander takes the reins of the 507th MXG

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mark Hybers
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Lieutenant Colonel Travis S. Caughlin took command of the 507th Maintenance Group from Col. Jeff Pickard during a change of command ceremony here September 8, 2013.

Lt. Col. Caughlin comes to the 507th after serving two years as the deputy commander for maintenance, 917th Fighter Group, Barksdale AFB, La. The 917th is the only independent unit-equipped fighter group in Air Force Reserve Command.

Outgoing commander, Col. Pickard had high praise for his successor.

"If you don't know this guy, he's one of the smartest maintenance guys in AFRC," he said. "He's definitely the right guy for this job."

Caughlin is also no stranger to total force integration - the guard, reserve partnership. He stood up the aircraft maintenance component of the first reserve TFI to the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nev. Caughlin said this couldn't have been done without a great supporting cast.

"As you sit and reflect about how you got there," Lt. Col. Caughlin said, "you realize it's not so much about you, it's about all those around you - supporting you."

Colonel Pickard took command of the 507th Maintenance Group in July 2011. Since then, the maintenance group has the highest mission capability rating in AFRC and third best in the fleet - a feat Pickard says could not be done alone.

"You guys are awesome maintenance professionals," he said. "None of this would be possible without your hard work and dedication."

Caughlin comes to the largest Air Force Reserve flying unit in the state of Oklahoma and says a dream come true and he's up for the challenge.

"For many years I have wanted to be a part of a tanker unit because they run the Expeditionary Air Force," Caughlin said. "I look forward to joining you on this fantastic journey."

Caughlin entered the Air Force in 1987 as an aircraft crew chief and was commissioned in 1995 through the Deserving Airman Commissioning Program.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of Texas, San Antonio in 1992.

Colonel Pickard, who started his career in 1980, leaves the 507th MXG to take command of the 349th Maintenance Group, Travis AFB Calif.