98th Range Wing welcomes new commander Published July 8, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Col. John Montgomery, took command of the 98th Range Wing during a ceremony July 7, presided over by Brig. Gen. Ted Kresge, United States Air Force Warfare Center commander at the Nellis Officer's Club. "The people of the 98th RANW are the custodians of Nellis' crown jewel 'the Nevada Test and Training Range,'" General Kresge said. "Today we say farewell to the best commander who ever led the 98th RANW and welcome the best commander who ever will lead the 98th RW." "I'm looking forward to getting to work," said Colonel Montgomery. "This job is an enormous task. This place called the range is the center of gravity of our combat Air Force training. It is the range that gives credence to words realistic training train like you fight. The range is the crown jewel but it is the creative mind of the 98th workforce that makes it shine." Colonel Montgomery entered the Air Force in 1986 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 and has served as a T-38 and F-16 instructor pilot, flight commander, weapons and tactics officer, and chief of standardization and evaluations. The 98th RANW provides command and control of the NTTR. The commander coordinates, prioritizes and is the approval authority for activities involving other governmental agencies, departments and commercial activities on the NTTR. The 98th RANW integrates and provides support for test and training programs that have a direct effect on the war-fighting capabilities of the combat air forces. "I was grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a great group of people," said Colonel Koechle who relinquished command to Colonel Montgomery. "The experience and memories they have given me is an invaluable asset that I will continue to take advantage of throughout the rest of my career." Colonel Koechle was presented with the Legion of Merit award by General Kresge for his service at Nellis. He will be taking over as the 612th Air and Space Operations Center commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
