SWANTON, Ohio — Col. Craig R. Baker will take command of the 180th Fighter Wing from Col. Steven S. Nordhaus during a 10 a.m. ceremony on Sunday, March 2 at the 180th Fighter Wing, located at the Toledo Air National Guard Base.
Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, will preside over the ceremony.
Baker is a U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate and an active duty Air Force command pilot with more than 2,500 flight hours. In his previous position as the 57th Wing vice commander, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Baker was responsible for 39 squadrons at 12 installations.
“I am very excited to welcome Col. Baker to the Ohio National Guard,” Ashenhurst said. “This assignment truly illustrates the Air Force’s Total Force concept — active duty, Reserve and National Guard. He is the right leader at the right time to follow the great success of Col. Nordhaus. My expectations for Col. Baker and the Airmen under his command are for them to continue to hold themselves to the high standards that they have become known for, and be ready to execute all their missions in a highly professional manner.”
Baker replaces Col. Steven S. Nordhaus, who was recently promoted to the position of executive assistant for Gen. Frank Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau, in Washington D.C.