Col. Pettus makes first flight as new Liberty Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Evan Pettus runs through his pre-flight checks prior to his first flight as the 48th Fighter Wing commander at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, July 20. Pettus assumed command of the 48th FW on July 19, and has logged 2,200 flight hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Abby L. Finkel)

Col. Pettus makes first flight as new Liberty Wing commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Evan Pettus gives a thumbs up after completing his pre-flight checks prior to his first flight as the 48th Fighter Wing commander at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, July 20. Pettus assumed command of the 48th FW on July 19, and has logged 2,200 flight hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle(U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Eli Chevalier)

Col Pettus makes first flight as new Liberty Wing commander

Published July 21, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Abby Finkel
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- One day after assuming command, Col. Evan Pettus went on his first flight as the 48th Fighter Wing commander at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, July 20.

Pettus formally assumed command of the 48th FW from Col. Robert Novotny during a change of command ceremony, July 19.

Although it’s his first flight as the base commander, this is not Pettus’ first time flying at RAF Lakenheath. After completing his pilot training in December 1996, Pettus was stationed here as a young first lieutenant.

From December 1996 to January 2000, Pettus served at RAF Lakenheath as an F-15E pilot, mission planning officer and assistant chief of training for the 492nd Fighter Squadron.