HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Maj. Mark Eilertsen assumed command of the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron from Lt. Col. Rodney Hammond during a ceremony at historic Wendover Field June 10.
Eilertsen commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 2005 as a graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corp at Brigham Young University. Prior to taking commander of CES, he served as commander of the 419th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight.
Hammond led the 419th CES since June 2012 and will now attend the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
The change of command ceremony was the first military function in more than 70 years to be held in the recently renovated officers club from the World War II era at Wendover Field. Members of the CES spent several days at Wendover Field for intensive training that tested their ability to operate in a deployed environment.