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LAJES FIELD, Portugal — Brig. Gen. Richard G. Moore Jr., 86th Airlift Wing commander, presided over a change of command ceremony for the 65th Air Base Group Aug. 16 on Lajes Field.
During the ceremony, Col. Daniel C. Furleigh, outgoing 65th ABG commander, relinquished command of the group to Col. Peter P. Feng, incoming 65th ABG commander.
During his opening remarks, Moore thanked Furleigh for his time and effort while he was in command of the group.
“I think you have done a remarkable job of setting this base up for success,” Moore said. “(Also for) making sure when you turn it over it is on a path, one that is sustainable, economically sound, can be handled by the team here and supports the mission, so very, very well done.”
The 65th Air Base Wing was redesignated as the 65th ABG in August of 2015 and became the seventh group under the 86th AW at Ramstein. As his boss, the 86th AW commander also had words of encouragement for Feng as he stepped into the role as the 65th ABG commander.
“You are inheriting a base that is truly in great shape,” Moore said. “As an engineer, (Feng) has very deep credentials, everything from providing policy to standing up a base and building it from nothing into something. You have a team to support you that is the very best the Air Force has to provide.
“All of the group commanders in the front row, your fellow group commanders in the wing, they are all here to provide you anything you need, and I am as well,” he continued. “We look forward to a fantastic year and a great run.”
Before receiving his final salute from the Airmen assigned to the 65th ABG as their commander, Furleigh thanked them for their hard work and dedication.
“I’m fully confident Team Lajes will continue to excel,” Furleigh said. “Men and women of the 65th ABG, thank you for your relentless efforts and for providing me with so many great memories.”
As the new commander of the 65th ABG, Feng is now in charge of five squadrons, two flights and multiple staff agencies. While he said it would be tough to follow Furleigh, he is grateful for the opportunity to be the next group commander.
“To the men and women of the 65th ABG, I look forward to working with all of you every day,” Feng said. “I promise to support the team as much as I can, build on training and continue to build the teamwork that has been put in place here.”
The 65th ABG at Lajes Field is strategically located to provide support in combat operations by enabling the expeditionary movement of warfighters, war planes and global communications to combat commanders and supporting joint, coalition and NATO operations. Under its new command, the 65th ABG will continue to support the Air Force mission.
