Maintenance Group changes command Published Sept. 9, 2008 By Justin Oakes 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Hangar 913 was packed full with Thunderbolts, family and friends in attendance for the 56th Maintenance Group change-of-command ceremony held Aug. 29. Col. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander, served as the reviewing officer during the ceremony, where Col. Algene Fryer relinquished command to Col. Geoffrey Parkhurst. Colonel Fryer left behind the maintenance group and headed for his next assignment at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he will serve as the Deputy Director of Logistics, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command. "Colonel Fryer has been a superior leader in every sense of the word and has done great things for the maintenance group and Luke," said Colonel Neubauer. Colonel Parkhurst, who previously served as the Chief of Wing Quality Assurance of the 309th Maintenance Wing, Hill AFB, Utah, now commands the largest maintenance group in the Air Force to include 185 F-16 aircraft and 3,260 personnel. The MXG Thunderbolts looked upon their new commander as Colonel Neubauer provided words of encouragement. "Colonel Parkhurst has exactly what it takes to lead this remarkable maintenance group to even higher levels of success," he said. Colonel Parkhurst was brief and to the point upon addressing the 56th Maintenance Group. "I expect every one of us to be good Airmen, be good maintainers and be proud of everything we do," he said.