Col. Robert Novotny takes command of Liberty Wing

by Tech. Sgt. Eric Burks
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/22/2014 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Nearly 1,000 Airmen, dignitaries and distinguished visitors from the local area watched as Col. Robert Novotny took command of the 48th Fighter Wing from Col. Kyle Robinson July 21, 2014.

Before taking command of the Liberty Wing, Novotny served as the Chief of Staff for the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force and the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, Deputy Commander for Air, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

During the ceremony in Hangar 7, Novotny said he was looking forward to working with 48th FW Airmen. About two years ago, when asked if he could choose anywhere to serve as a wing commander, his response - without hesitation - was Lakenheath.

"They're forward, they're in the fight," he said. "They're ready and they're about getting the mission done."

Novotny thanked his family for their support, especially his wife, Dawn.

"I'm going to make it one of my top priorities that we're going to take care of our military families, especially our deployed spouses," he said to his wife - and the wing. "Having just done this the last year when I was in Afghanistan, your work was unbelievable."

Novotny then reflected on the wing's many accomplishments under Robinson's leadership.

"During inprocessing, everywhere I went I saw two things," he said. "One was an excitement about Lakenheath, excitement to be here. And the other was a consistent evidence of command fingerprints across every organization ... the fingerprints of a team that's done so much for the Liberty Wing."

That team, Novotny said, was Robinson and his wife Maureen. "Thank you for your leadership," he said.

To Liberty Wing Airmen, he said, "If you look around the world, things are a little crazy right now. And if the call comes, I'm going to be standing right there with you, and we're going to respond like the 48th Fighter Wing knows how to respond.

"I'm here to work for you," Novotny said. "It's an honor to be your commander."