428th Change of Command

Col. Joe Kunkel, 366th Fighter Wing commander, passes the 428th Fighter Squadron to Lt. Col. Donald Sandberg, former 428th Fighter Squadron commander, June, 29, 2018, at Mountain Home Air Force Base Idaho. As commander of the 428th FS, he transitioned the squadron to the next generation of F-15SG's and coordinated software lethality advancements while increasing training 20 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alaysia Berry)

428th Change of Command

Col. Joe Kunkel, 366th Fighter Wing commander, passes the 428th Fighter Squadron to Lt. Col. Andrew Gilbert, 428th Fighter Squadron commander, June 29, 2018, at Mountain Home Air Force Base Idaho. Before this assignment Gilbert served in the 607th Air Operations Center at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alaysia Berry)

428th Change of Command

Col. Joe Kunkel, 366th Fighter Wing commander, pins a Meritorius Service medal on Lt. Col. Donald Sandberg, former 428th Fighter Squadron commander, June, 29, 2018, at Mountain Home Air Force Base Idaho. As commander of the 428th FS, Sandberg successfully led (approximately) a 300-person international partnership and managed a $73 million flying hour program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alaysia Berry)

428th Fighter Squadron holds change of command

Published July 6, 2018
By Senior Airman Alaysia Berry
366th Fighter Wing

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Members of the 428th Fighter Squadron came together and said their goodbyes to their former commander, Lt. Col. Donald Sandberg, and welcomed their new commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Gilbert, during a change of command ceremony June 29, 2018, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

As the commander of the 428th FS, Sandberg successfully led (approximately) a 300-person squadron and managed a $73 million flying hour program. He transitioned the squadron to the next generation of F-15SGs and coordinated software lethality advancements while increasing training by 20 percent.

“10 to 20 years from now it’s not going to be our mission accomplishments that will remain with me… it’s the people I’ve interacted with over the last 2 years,” Sandberg said. “My hands-off leadership approach was praised repeatedly, but that approach is a luxury, provided by the selfless, humble and mission focused attitude of the Buccaneers, not me. The praise belongs to them.”

Gilbert assumed command from Sandberg while Col. Joe Kunkel, 366th Fighter Wing commander, officiated the ceremony.

Prior to assuming command of the 428th FS, Gilbert served in the 607th Air Operations Center at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

“I’m excited to be the commander, but I’m more excited to get to work,” Gilbert said. “To mentor and provide, to listen and learn, and to lead and inspire. It is my honor and privilege to serve all of you."