Gratitude, confidence, and optimism for the future were all front and center during the Change of Command ceremony for the 4th Fighter Wing on Friday at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Major General David B. Lyons, Commander, 15th Air Force, presided over the ceremony as Col Morgan P. Lohse took command of the 4th Fighter Wing from Col Lucas J. Teel.

With numerous elected officials and community leaders in attendance, Major General Lyons bestowed praise upon Col Teel for his leadership during his tenure as commander of the 4th Fighter Wing.

Col Teel took command of the 4th Fighter Wing in 2022. The 4th Fighter Wing is one of the largest fighter wings in the United States Air Force, consisting of nearly 7,000 Airmen and civilians, 94 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, two operational and two training fighter squadrons, flying more than 12,000 sorties and 21,000 hours per year.

Prior to taking command of the 4th Fighter Wing, Col Teel was the Vice Commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Col Teel will go on to command the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location.

“Colonel Teel, you have shown extraordinary leadership,” Lyons said. “Your focus on lead wing development and exercise advancement was apparent during the certification process. You led hundreds of airmen, maneuvered aircraft, and managed the challenge of logistics in off-steer conditions. The warriors of the 4th Fighter Wing have been exceptional because you led them well.”

Teel expressed gratitude for the support he received from his wife Meg and their four daughters during his time as commander of the 4th Fighter Wing. He also extended his appreciation for the officers and airmen he worked alongside.

“I have been honored and humbled to serve alongside the men and women of the 4th Fighter Wing,” Teel said. “There’s really only one theme of what I would like to say today and it’s gratitude. One constant in my life has been the unwavering support from my family. Thank you for thriving despite the plenty of challenges that we have on the horizon. Finally, to Meg, I struggle to put into words what you have meant to me and to our girls, to spouses and families of the 4th Fighter Wing, a few that come to mind are selfless, compassionate, and a devoted servant.”

Col Lohse was most recently the Commander of the 4th Operations Group at Seymour Johnson. He has been previously stationed at SJAFB over the years and served in 2005 as an F-15E Strike Eagle student weapons systems officer. From 2009 – 2012 Lohse was an F-15E instructor WSO, 334th Fighter Squadron flight commander, and chief of wing tactics at the 4th Operations Group.

Before serving as the Commander of the 4th Operations Group at Seymour Johnson, Lohse was the Isreal Country Director in Middle East Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

“Col Teel has truly taken this wing to new heights and higher readiness,” Lohse said. “It’s going to be a tough act to follow. You can expect me to take care of our most precious resource, you, our people. We will accomplish the mission together. You can expect clear intent, trust, and delegation.”