Schoharie resident Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hedges takes command of 109th Airlift Wing's Mission Support Group

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Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hedges (right) assumes command of the 109th Mission Support Group from Col. Shawn Clouthier (center), 109th Airlift Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony Sept. 13, 2014.

SCOTIA, N.Y. (09/18/2014)(readMedia)-- New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Jeffrey L. Hedges, a current resident of Schohaire, assumed command of the 109th Airlift Wing's Mission Support Group during a change of command ceremony at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, N.Y., on Sept. 13.

Changes of command are a military tradition representing the transfer of responsibilities from the presiding official to the upcoming official.

"What the Support Group is getting is a man with a lot of experience, a man who's already shown how he cares for you by ... his day in and day out operations down in the Logistics Readiness Squadron," said Col. Shawn Clouthier, 109th AW commander, during the ceremony. 

As the 109th Mission Support Group commander, Hedges will be responsible for directing all host base infrastructure activities and functions relating to direct mission support and providing oversight for about 400 full- and part-time personnel.

Prior to taking command of the Mission Support Group, Hedges was commander of the 109th Logistics Readiness Squadron. He also served as the deployed commander of the 405th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Hedges is a 1984 graduate of Paris High School in his hometown of Paris, Illinois. He graduated Indiana State University in 1993 obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Administration; and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1998. 

Hedges lives in Schoharie with his wife, MeLisa, and two sons, Jacob and Isaac.