Helicopter pilot takes command of 920th Operations Group

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920 Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - --  Colonel Christopher P. Hannon assumed command of the 920th Rescue Wing Operations Group yesterday. The Operations Group falls under the 920th Rescue Wing which is a combat search and rescue unit dedicated to rescuing downed Airmen behind enemy lives, civilians in distress and providing rescue support for the NASA shuttle launches.

Col. Hannon replaced Col. Jeffrey L. Macrander who served as Operations Group commander from October 2005 to October 2009. Col. Macrander has taken the position of Chief, Global Power Panel at Air Force Reserve Headquarters, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and is the single point of contact for all issues concerning combat forces.

Col. Hannon comes from 10th Air Force, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas, as the director of training. He graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Public Health. He then entered Undergraduate Pilot Training-Helicopter at Fort Rucker, Ala., in 1984.

He served as the squadron commander of the 301st Rescue Squadron, here from March 2005 to August 2008 where he commanded worldwide helicopter rescue and recovery operations. He has logged more than 5,400 hours as a command pilot including deployments in support of Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, and with combat time in Operations Iraqi freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The 920th Operations Group is dedicated to combat search and rescue and is responsible for the overall combat training and readiness of nearly 300 aircrew, pararescue specialists and support personnel, employing HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopters and specially modified HC-130P/N Hercules aircraft.

Col. Robert S. Lipira served as interim Operations Group Commander from October 2009 through November 2009.