New Commander for the 144th Maintenace Group

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn
  • 144th Fighter Wing PA
California Air National Guard Base Fresno --  Col. Mark Favetti assumed command of the 144th Maintenance Group (MXG) in a ceremony August 7 at the 144th Fighter Wing.

Col. Sami Said, 144th Fighter Wing Commander, officiated the ceremony, in which Col. Favetti succeeded Col. Clay Garrison in command of the group.

Col. Garrison relinquished command of the 144th MXG and has been named the new 144th Fighter Wing Vice Commander.

For Col. Favetti, assuming command of the 144th MXG brings a new set of challenges as the unit prepares to convert from the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to the F-15 Eagle.

"I am eager to work with all of you .... as we take on the challenges of this aircraft conversion together," he said. "Together I know we will continue the great heritage and tradition of the maintainers that have come before us as we add another chapter to the proud history of the 144th Maintenance Group."

Col. Favetti comes to the 144th Fighter Wing from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Ore. where he served as the Maintenance Group Commander. As commander, he was responsible for both on-equipment and off-equipment maintenance for a fleet of 25 F-15 aircraft. He directly supported the production of sorties generated to train the best air-to-air F-15 pilots in the world.

Col. Favetti spent 13 and a half years in the United States Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Transportation Officer before joining the Oregon Air National Guard in July 2000. His stateside active duty assignments included Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (National Guard Bureau staff). Col. Favetti overseas assignments included tours in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.