Lt. Col. Daniel Tack was sworn in as Commander of the 179th Mission Support Group with the Mansfield Lahm Airport, relieving Col. Lindsey Whitehead from that position on Friday morning with the symbolic changing of the command.
Tack has been in the military for 16 years and has been at the Mansfield Lahm base since 2001, as an officer at both the Airlift Wing and the Red Horse Squadron.
He explained that as the Mission Support Group Commander, he will oversee all of the security forces, civil engineers, logistics, and support squadron.
Since 2005, he was with the Red Horse Squadron and said, “I’m excited to come back [to the Airlift Wing] and see the C-130s coming back. It’s really exciting out here right now. We’re hiring a lot more positions.”
Two hundred more traditional guardsmen are being hired. Additionally, eight C-130s are coming to the unit, and four C-27s will depart.
When it came time for the change of command ceremony to commence, Executive Officer Amy Whitehead stated, “The ceremony [of the changing of command] is a time-honored tradition in the military that physically assures the continuity of command.”
Wing Commander Col. Gary McCue also explained, “We have the change of the command because we know it’s a very important symbol of the passing of the torch.” Turning to the outgoing commander, Lindsey Whitehead, McCue stated, “We wish you the best up at Toledo.”
Col. Whitehead followed by congratulating Tack and stated, “Dan, you oversee the largest group on base. You’re going to work hard, and we’re very happy to have you on base.”
Whitehead recalled his experience at the Lahm base and said, “It’s been a great ride. I have seen nothing but spectacular results from all of you here. This has been a privilege and an honor to command both the maintenance group, as well as the mission support group. Speaking to the 179th airmen, he stated, “The thing that I learned the most from all of you is that you never gave up, that you never gave up, and I will always take that to wherever I am going.”
Col. Whitehead will serve as the Vice Commander in Toledo with the 180th Fighter Wing.
Lt. Col. Tack acknowledged what a great opportunity it is for him to serve as the mission support group commander. “I am very excited to be part of the C-130s coming back to Mansfield…As you all know, being commander is tough. It takes a lot of time, and my family is always there for me. I don’t get the opportunity to thank them enough.”
Tack then gave his father and son “challenge coins,” which have the 179th symbol on them. He explained that this is a great tradition in his family. “I learned everything from dad. He served in the army for 38 years.”
He added, “My mom kicked me in the butt for years. She made me study, made me try to excel every day. And then I married the most wonderful woman ever and she supports me every day. They’ve made a lot of sacrifices so I can sacrifice for you [the airmen] because I’m here to be your commander. I’m here to give you everything I’ve got to ensure that you’ve got a great leader in front of you, just like my predecessors.”
Tack is supported by his wife, Kristy, and three children, Auna, Daniel, and Samara.
“I am very excited to be part of the C-130s coming back to Mansfield,” stated Lt. Col. Daniel Tack.
