New Phoenix takes command of 8 MXG

Members of the 8th Maintenance Group render a salute during a change of command ceremony June 15, 2018, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The 8th MXG is responsible for the daily flying and maintenance operations for the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 8 Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria H. Taylor)

New Phoenix takes command of 8 MXG

U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Anderson, 8th Maintenance Group commander, receives the guidon from Col. John Bosone, 8th Fighter Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony June 15, 2018, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Anderson accepted command of the 8th MXG and received the title of “Phoenix.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria H. Taylor)

New Phoenix takes command of 8 MXG

Members of the 8th Maintenance Group render the initial salute to U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Anderson, 8th Maintenance Group commander, during a change of command ceremony June 15, 2018, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The 8th MXG is responsible for the daily flying and maintenance operations for the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 8 Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria H. Taylor)

New Phoenix takes command of 8 MXG

Published June 15, 2018
By Staff Sgt. Victoria H. Taylor
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- U.S. Air Force Col. G. Hall Sebren Jr. relinquished command of the 8th Maintenance Group to Col. Steven Anderson during a change of command ceremony June 15, 2018, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

Col. John Bosone, 8th Fighter Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, welcoming Anderson and remarking on the accomplishments of Sebren and the Airmen of the 8th MXG.

“Despite the heightened tensions, the exercises, the heat and the cold, your leadership team has seemed to have done the impossible,” said Bosone. “Phoenix without your team the F-16 serves no purpose.”

Bosone presented Sebren with the Legion of Merit, and afterwards, Sebren expressed his gratitude toward the Wolf Pack for their dedication and commitment to the mission.

“To the men and women of the 8th MXG, one year ago I asked you to simply focus on your task at hand, show up with a positive attitude, work as a team and you did just that. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. ” said Sebren. “[Col. Anderson] you are definitely the right person at the right time to take these fantastic Airmen to new levels of greatness.”

The 8th MXG is responsible for the daily flying and maintenance operations, intermediate level maintenance, component repair and maintenance training for a combat wing with approximately 50 permanently assigned F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

“I can say without a doubt that I’m very glad to be back on Peninsula,” said Anderson. “To the men and women of the 8th MXG, I look forward to serving with you and learning from you as proud members of the class of 2019.”

Anderson comes to the 8th FW from 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he was Deputy Commander. As commander of the 8th MXG, he controls and allocates resources, directs the activities of more than 1,200 personnel, manages the annual budget and develops and implements plans to meet wing operational taskings.