81st TRG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Suzie Plotnikov
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

Col. Chance Geray, incoming 81st Training Group commander, gained command from Col. Leo Lawson, Jr., outgoing 81st TRG commander, during a change of command ceremony here, June 1.

Geray is a recent graduate of the U.S. Army College.

Before going to the U.S. Army War College, he was a deputy commander for the 435th Air and Space Communications Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Before relinquishing command, Lawson thanked everyone who has had an impact in his two year tenure here.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to shape the lives, the hearts and minds of the next generation of the world’s greatest Air Force,” said Lawson. “Today I declare the 81st TRG the best training group in the Air Force because of this team of professionals, instructors, military training leaders, training developers and administrators that create an environment that produces the world’s greatest Airmen. I’m also grateful for the partnership and support of the wing, the mission support group, the medical group and our community partners. Your teamwork has been an important part of our success.”

Lawson’s next assignment will be at U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Geray said he is excited to be back to where he started 22 years ago where he graduated officer technical training, and to continue the legacy Lawson left behind.

“Lawson has built an exceptional team that leverages each others strengths and works together to help train our next generation of war fighters,” said Geray. “I will do my best to continue the success as we continue to develop our nation’s greatest assets in the joint force and our Air Force’s greatest weapons system, our Airmen. Together the 81st TRG dragons will train ‘em right, train to fight.”