Gallegos Takes Command of the 944th Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Josh Nason
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Col. Kurt J. Gallegos accepted command of the 944th Fighter Wing  from 10th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. William B. Binger in front of an audience of family, community members, and wing personnel during a change-of-command ceremony here Feb. 10.

General Binger bid a fond farewell to Col. Jose R. Monteagudo, "His leadership and mentorship has taken this unit to the next level."

"I can't begin to tell you how great you have been and I know you will continue to be for Col. Gallegos." Colonel Monteagudo said to the 944th. "I know that looking at the past, and to the future, I will never have a better job than commanding the 944th."

Col. Monteagudo is scheduled to be the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Plans and Programs (A5), Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Colonel Gallegos returns to Luke 20 years after first being stationed here as a student at the F-16 Replacement Unit, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., 1991-1992.

Gallegos entered the Air Force in 1986 after receiving his commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Utah State University. Prior to assuming his current position, Colonel Gallegos was the Commander of the 301st Operations Group, Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. He is a command pilot with 5,300 flying hours and has more than 462 combat hours serving in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Allied Force, Operation Deliberate Forge, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I always said it's not what you achieve or how much money you have that defines success, but who surrounds you. To be surrounded by family and friends, that's the true measure of success in life, and having you all here with me today is what makes this day great," said Gallegos. "It is an honor and a privilege to command the 944th Fighter Wing. I look forward to the opportunities we will have together."