Rapone assumes command of 270th EIS

WILLOW GROVE AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --      Surrounded by family, friends and members of the 111th Fighter Wing, 270th Engineering Installation Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Mike Kierod passed the guidon to incoming commander Lt. Col. Geno Rapone, 201st RED HORSE Squadron, Detachment 1, at a change of command ceremony held here Jun. 4, 2011.
     After accepting the guidon, Colonel Rapone reflected on the moment.
     "This is very surreal for me," he explained.  "One minute you're standing in line with your right hand up, someone puts a gold bar on your shoulder, and you're a 22 year-old kid.  The next , you're standing here and being entrusted with a unit of the caliber that the 270th is. Mike Kierod is a hard act to follow and you set the bar high in a lot of areas. I can promise you I'll focus on two things, readiness and taking care of you."
     The ceremony marked the retirement of Colonel Kierod, honoring his 28 years of military service to our nation. He was awarded a meritorious service medal for his time as commander of the 270th and upon his retirement. In 2008, his leadership was instrumental in the unit receiving an overall excellent rating at an operational readiness inspection.