MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - A new commander was appointed to the 201st RED HORSE Squadron at Fort Indiantown Gap April 8.
Lt. Col. Eric Mannion, who has been part of the 201st RHS since 1993, assumed command of the squadron during an assumption of command ceremony held at the Fort Indiantown Gap Community Club.
Mannion originally joined the active duty Air Force in 1987 and enlisted as an interior electrician. After his service on active duty he returned home to Pennsylvania to attend college at Penn State University for civil engineering. He then joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in March 1993 and was assigned to the 201st RED HORSE Flight. Mannion was commissioned as an engineering officer in March 1998.
Mannion has mobilized four times with the 201st RHS and has held multiple positions, both enlisted and officer, within the squadron. He was the 201st RHS director of operations prior to assuming command.
During the ceremony Mannion thanked everyone who has supported his military career.
“My path has taken me from enlisted to officer, from active duty to the Air National Guard, from engineering officer to squadron commander,” said Mannion. “The road has been full of challenges and I have not taken this journey alone. I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of my family, friends, mentors and fellow Airmen.”
Mannion went on to address the expectation he has for his new Airmen.
“I’m sure many of you have heard the expression, ‘work smarter, not harder,’” said Mannion. “My expectation is that you work smarter and harder. Because that is the RED HORSE way. That is how we get the mission accomplished.”
Col. Stacey Zdanavage, the 193rd Regional Support Group commander, spoke of Mannion during the ceremony.
“He has been around this organization and the RED HORSE squadron for a quarter of a century,” said Zdanavage to laughter amongst the crowd. “And in that quarter of a century he has made impact. He has made impact in the squadrons he has deployed with and the missions that he conducted, whether it being in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
Zdanavage then directed his comments toward Mannion.
“You have made a huge impact and you will continue to do so as you lead this squadron,” said Zdanavage.
Date Taken: | 04.11.2018 |
Date Posted: | 04.11.2018 14:41 |
Story ID: | 272663 |
Location: | MIDDLETOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
Web Views: | 132 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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