HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Maj. Katherine Schifani assumed command of the 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Lt. Col. Glendon Bute here March 7.
Schifani commissioned into to Air Force in 2007. She spent seven years on active duty before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve in 2014. Prior to her present assignment, Schifani was commander of the 302nd Maintenance Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
During his farewell remarks, Bute addressed Airmen in the AMXS.
“Three years ago… basically I took command effective immediately,” he said. “I was excited, but I was nervous because I knew the stakes and I knew there was a lot riding on the mission. But I was continually amazed during my tenure as your commander how you all executed the mission and how you grew in knowledge of this airframe and I am continually floored by what our maintainers can do.”
During her remarks, Schifani expressed her confidence in the Airmen she will lead.
“Part of the reason I’m not nervous is because the group of people here is so clearly exceptional that I know I’m well supported, and your leadership has taken this unit to a very excellent place,” she said. “I couldn’t be more excited to be your commander. I look forward to picking up where Colonel Bute left off and see where we can go, and in the F-35, it’s pretty high and pretty loud and pretty fast.”
The AMXS is home to about 15 percent of the 419th Fighter Wing's total personnel, including more than 50 full-time Air Reserve Technicians, or ARTs, and more than 100 part-time traditional reservists.