Col. Kyle Robinson assumes command of the 48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Lt. Gen. Craig A. Franklin, 3rd Air Force commander, passes the guidon to Col. Kyle Robinson, incoming 48th Fighter Wing commander, during the 48th FW change of command ceremony April 5, 2012. The outgoing commander, Col. John Quintas, relinquished command of the 48th FW to Col. Robinson. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Col. Kyle Robinson assumes command of 48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Airmen render salutes while the British and American national anthems are played during the 48th Fighter Wing change of command ceremony April 5, 2012. The outgoing commander, Col. John Quintas, relinquished command of the 48th FW to Col. Kyle Robinson. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne)

Col. Kyle Robinson assumes command of the 48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Staff Sgt. Charles Armstrong, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief, reveals the new commander’s name on an F-15E Strike Eagle during the 48th Fighter Wing change of command ceremony April 5, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Col. Kyle Robinson assumes command of the 48th Fighter Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England – Local dignitaries, distinguished visitors and other guests enjoy refreshments at the 48th Fighter Wing change of command pre-reception at the 493rd Fighter Squadron Reaper Bar April 5, 2012. The outgoing commander, Col. John Quintas, relinquished command of the 48th FW to Col. Kyle Robinson. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel)

Col. Kyle Robinson takes command of Liberty Wing

Published April 5, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Cory D. Payne
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- More than 400 Airmen, dignitaries and distinguished visitors from the local area watched as Col. Kyle Robinson assumed command of the 48th Fighter Wing from Col. John Quintas April 5, 2012.

Before taking command of the Liberty Wing, Robinson served as the 366th Operations Group commander at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; he stated he was looking forward to working with the 48th FW Airmen.

"I could not be more excited to be here at this time," he said. "We have a special relationship here in the U.K., especially in East Anglia."

Robinson reflected on the wing's many accomplishments under Quintas's leadership and looked forward to more in the future.

"I will try to follow in the footsteps of Col. Quintas and continue the fine leadership he has done and take the wing where it is going," said Robinson.

Quintas will become the senior defense official and defense attaché at the Defense Intelligence Agency U.K in London. Before the guidon was passed, Quintas thanked his friends, family, and Airmen for their hard work and dedication to the wing's mission.

"The mission of the 48th Fighter Wing is to defend freedom and to make this place better for generations to come, it is a noble cause and it deserves America's best, and that's exactly what it has," said Quintas.

After officially taking command of the 48th FW, Robinson had positive things to say about the Airmen and families stationed at RAF Lakenheath.

"As Col. Quintas showed me around the wing, I got to talk to some of the fine Airmen and fine leaders," said Robinson. "The quality of the people here is second to none, and I am truly honored to be here."