Wing welcomes new MXG commander Published May 6, 2007 By Staff Sgt, Nathan Greer 419th Public Affairs Hill AFB, Utah -- Lt. Col. Stephen Mittuch assumed command of the 419th Maintenance Group during the February UTA. Staff Sgt. Nathan Greer, a Talon Citizen staff writer, recently sat down with Colonel Mittuch to get to learn more about the wing's newest group commander. Q: How long have you been in the Air Force? A: "19 Years. I entered active duty in 1988 and joined the Reserve component in 1996, where I have spent time as an ART, TR and an IMA." Q: Why did you join the Air Force? A: "A desire to serve modeled off a family heritage of military service. My family has a history in the military going back to WWII in the Pacific and European theater. My father is retired Air Force and my brother was commissioned a few years prior to my entry into service." Q: What jobs have you had in the Air Force? A: "I spent time in tactical control, doing counter narcotics in Central and South America. Active duty and Reserve airborne command and control mission as well as depot maintenance experience." Q: Tell us a little about you experience in the Air Force Reserve. A: "During my time with the Reserve, I've had the opportunity to stand-up a Reserve associate mission at Tinker AFB and experience two presidential mobilizations. First, Operation Allied Force in 1999 and a two-year mobilization for Operation Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. The mobilization and demobilization experience provided me a unique perspective on the impact to our reservists, their families, and employers when our nation executes a war relying on a significant contribution from Reserve forces." Q: What are some of your goals as the Maintenance Group commander? A: "One goal is to facilitate an environment which takes the best of two distinct organizations (419th and 388th) and produces a unified team approach for providing top notch maintenance. Another goal is to ensure our future leaders are equipped for success. Total force is what we do in the Air Force today, ensuring our people are empowered to develop the skill sets that will allow them to be a success in the associate business is important. Our junior NCOs and officers are tomorrow's Total Force leaders, and I owe them the opportunity to succeed in a world where associate units are the norm."