'Luck 'o' the Irish' comes with new LRS commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 302nd Logistics Readiness Squadron changed command Nov. 4, giving way to a new type of leader who's come to know much more about Dublin than Denver.

During a change of command ceremony held at the 302nd Airlift Wing's new Summit Center, the squadron welcomed Lt. Col. Brian McCullagh as its newest commander. McCullagh, originally from Ireland, immigrated to the United States and enlisted in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, then later, served as an aircraft flight engineer. After a stint in the enlisted corps, McCullagh received his commission as a second lieutenant and served in both aerial port and logistics careers.

McCullagh, who comes to the 302nd LRS commander position from the 50th Aerial Port Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., takes command of the squadron just after the wing's successful Operational Readiness Inspection. During the ORI, the 302nd LRS received high praise for its performance and had several of its members recognized as "superior performers". This fact was not lost on McCullagh, who congratulated the squadron for its accomplishments.

He pointed out that while he tries not to take himself too seriously, he was very serious about his role as a commander.

"As long as we have an American warrior comrade anywhere on the globe in harm's way, we need to be ready to deploy at any time," he said. "The American warrior in the Air Force has shaped my entire life so that's where it stays."

McCullagh takes over command for Lt. Col. Lynn Jui who has served as the squadron's commander since December 2008. Jui now becomes an Individual Mobilization Augmentee and will be based at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., working with Active Duty Airmen.

In her parting comments, Jui said she's always tried to treat people the way she would want to be treated.

"You've got to take care of your Airmen, and that's all you guys have ever done is take care of me," she said. "I hope I've done that for you in return. It also means taking care of your people, whether good or bad. That mentoring allows us to know if we're doing something wrong, we know what we have to do to fix it."

Jui, whose husband Maj. James Jui serves in the wing's 731st Airlift Squadron, pointed out she wouldn't be truly gone.

"I will see you (all) around. This isn't goodbye, just a 'see you later'."

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