Fitzgerald’s career spans 26 years and includes more than 4,000 flight hours as a KC-135 navigator, a KC-135 pilot, MQ-1 Predator pilot, and MQ-9 Reaper pilot. In 2011, she transferred to the 178th Wing where she served as the 162nd Flying Squadron commander and the Mission Support Group commander, before taking on her most recent role as vice commander.
Everyone from the Springfield base that was not performing a mission was in attendance in a crowd of about 1,200 airmen for the ceremony, said Tech. Sgt. Shane Hughes.
Fitzgerald is entering into the role as former commander Col. Gregg J. Hesterman leaves the 178th Wing to begin his career at the Ohio National Guard, where he will serve as the director of staff. Hesterman will work for the Assistant Adjutant General for Air to ensure the 5,000 airmen in Ohio have what they need to be successful, according to a release from the Ohio National Guard.
“When I look back over the last two and a half years what I’m most proud of are those three things: what I’ve learned, the relationships I’ve built and just the greater appreciation for what’s going on inside the Ohio Air National Guard,” said Hesterman.
Typically a commander is in charge for two to three years.
“I’m happy to say that it looks like in the very near future, our ISR group may switch to a space intel mission,” said Brigadier General James R. Camp. “I wanted to make that public and I think that’s exciting news for Springfield.”
As Fitzgerald addressed the crowd, which included her mother and sister as surprise guests from Minnesota, she briefly touched on Camp’s announcement and what the near future of the wing will look like.
“This wing is blessed to be in a state and community that embraces the military,” Fitzgerald said. “We appreciate the support from our legislators and the governor’s office. … I know I have big shoes to fill. The current mission of the 178th is more lethal and more involved in direct combat than ever before in the history of this wing. And the great thing about our mission is that it’s constantly evolving. We are no longer tied to a piece of equipment that needs to be upgraded in order to be relevant. Our capabilities evolve as you develop new lines of effort. You find new ways to track high value targets. You solve new problems.”
When Fitzgerald assumed command on Sunday, she ushered in a new era at the 178th Wing.
“Your limitations are only what you impose upon yourself,” said Fitzgerald. “The military no longer says ‘women can’t do.’ Only you can say what you can’t do.”