Departing commander reflects back on tenure

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  When Col. Lester A. Weilacher assumed command of the 66th Air Base Group he knew the challenge that lay ahead was significant: Hanscom was on the dawn of a major transition from the former Electronic Systems Center to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

Today as he reflects on his tenure as the installation commander, Weilacher said he's not at all surprised by the results from that challenge and the many others.

"It's been a very busy two years for sure," said Weilacher during an interview in his now empty office. "The opportunity to lead this incredibly capable team over the past two years has been the highlight of my career."

Weilacher, who will hand over command July 10, is proud of every accomplishment the base has celebrated since his arrival.

He notes that while it is easy to focus on the chaos of the "big headline-grabbing events," he prefers to not lose sight of all the other positive things that have happened here.

"Those look good on the front page of the Hansconian, and we responded well in every single case, but there is a lot of other goodness happening here that may not be reaping the same attention, but is every bit as important to cementing Hanscom's status as an Air Force base that can get things done."

As examples he highlighted that force protection for the installation has increased with the implementation of the Defense Biometric Identification System that insourcing civil engineering in April 2013 now saves the Air Force $3 million a year, and a renegotiated base electric contract saves Hanscom $1 million in electric costs each year.

Weilacher also spoke about the opportunity to engage with the local communities while at Hanscom.

"The relationships we have with both national and local leaders is extraordinary," he said. "From Congresswoman [Niki] Tsongas, Congressman [John] Tierney, Congresswoman [Katherine] Clark, Senators [Elizabeth] Warren and [Ed] Markey, it has been a very rewarding experience developing those relationships and showing them how Team Hanscom contributes to national security."

He remarked that several great things are taking place because of those relationships that have been developed with the four surrounding communities, the congressional delegation as well as with the governor's office.

Weilacher points to the land transfer for a new Vandenberg Gate complex, which will allow Hanscom to build a gate and visitor center complex that improves anti-terrorism force protection requirements as an example.

"The relationship with the governor's office, beginning with Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray and transitioning to Mr. Adam Freudberg, is building constructive partnerships with the state."

Although the base has experienced many challenges over his tenure, the colonel said, he's proud of the resiliency Team Hanscom has demonstrated.

Hurricane Sandy, Winter Storm Nemo, the Boston Marathon bombing, budget concerns, sequestration, furloughs, government shutdown, Compliance Unit Inspection, senior Air Force leader visits and many more were only some of those challenges that the men and women of Hanscom conquered, he said.

"I'm fortunate to be charged with creating the environment where people can succeed during each of those challenges," he said. "The people of the air base group actually do the heavy lifting and do so with extraordinary pride and dedication each and every time we tested."

But he pointed out that it wasn't all work and no play during his tour at Hanscom. The colonel and his wife, Charlotte, daughter, Kathrynn, and son, Logan, did have the opportunity to experience New England.

"My family and I had never been to the New England region, and we have a lifetime goal of visiting all 50 states," he said. "We've enjoyed going to Bar Harbor (Maine) and find it incredible that the Paul Revere capture site is only a stone's throw away from our base housing."

Weilacher will hand over command during a ceremony July 10 at 9 a.m. at the Aero Club Hangar. He is confident the next commander will pick up where he left off and continue moving the 66 ABG forward.

"The 66th Air Base Group will continue to provide the outstanding service to the men and women of Team Hanscom," he said.

Weilacher said he considered the opportunity to attend Airman Leadership School graduations and monthly enlisted promotion ceremonies and to share in those milestones as the greatest honor of being the commander at Hanscom Air Force Base.

When asked what his departing message was to Airmen, civilians and contractors, Weilacher noted just how thankful he is for everyone's hard work in executing the mission here.

"Be very proud of what you do and what you provide to support the warfighter," said Weilacher. "It's true we don't have airplanes, but the work done here at Hanscom Air Force Base is the future of our Air Force and we should be very proud of the role we play in supporting the program executive officers and their directorates here."