145th Maintenance Group Welcomes New Commander Published Oct. 17, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Julianne M. Showalter 145th Public Affairs CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Members of the 145th Maintenance Group gathered in hangar 51 at the North Carolina Air National Guard Base, Charlotte Douglas Intl. Airport, Oct. 4, 2014, as Lt. Col. Stephen Mallette assumed command. Mallette, the former commanding officer of the 118th Air Support Operations Squadron, is taking the helm of a group-level command for the first time. Master Sgt. Jennifer Moreau, first sergeant for the 145th MXG, passed the unit flag during the ceremony. "So far after meeting [Lt. Col. Mallette], he's not shy and that's great in a maintenance command position." said Moreau. "He's just coming back from deployment, and that makes it very real for our guys getting ready to deploy." Mallette spoke of the new challenges that come with the increased responsibility of a group level command. "I'm very excited as a new commander," said Mallette. "My task is to provide the necessary tools so our Airmen can get the job done." More than 100 Airmen attended the ceremony and stood in formation to honor the new commander. "I'm only an Airman 1st Class," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Henry, member of the 145th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "But I think he'll do a good job and it's good to have him here." The ceremony is a military tradition deeply rooted in history and dates back to the times of the Roman Legion. The unit flag is handed off, symbolically indicating to all the transfer of authority to the new commanding officer.