302nd OG welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Justin R. Norton, 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Col. Gregory Berry accepted command of the 302nd Operations Group from Col. James DeVere, 302nd Airlift Wing commander, during an assumption of command ceremony Aug. 4.

Berry commissioned into the Air Force in 1997 as a navigator. He became a member of the Air Force Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing in 2005 and assumed command of the 731st Airlift Squadron in 2015. He spent a year at the U.S. Naval War College where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies prior to taking command of the 302nd Operations Group.

Berry is also a Master Navigator Instructor and Evaluator having flown more than 3,800 hours in the C-130 Hercules aircraft.

"Col. Berry is a man of excellent character and unquestionable integrity," said DeVere. "He always puts his Airmen above himself and I expect we'll see the 302nd OG grow under his leadership and guidance."

DeVere also recognized the accomplishments of Lt. Col. Richard Pantusa, the interim 302nd OG commander, and commended him for his character and competence in leading the group..

As the 302nd OG commander, Berry leads three squadrons with unique mission sets -- the 731st Airlift Squadron, the 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and the 302nd Operations Support Squadron. He addressed the group for the first time as their new commander and highlighted previous accomplishments within the group.

“My priority number one is the mission of this unit, and that is to take those airplanes and do our nation’s work,” said Berry. “If there’s anything that gets in your way of doing that, let me know, and I will get it out of your way.”