Civil Engineering welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By SMSgt Minnie Jones
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND --  The 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron welcomes new commander, Lt. Col. Stephen Koenig, during a change of command ceremony Aug. 5, at the Medina Annex Auditorium, Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland.

Col. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony. Koenig succeeds Lt. Col. Eric Bowden, who retired the same day of the change of command ceremony.

"In my search for a new civil engineer squadron commander, it didn't take long for me to recognize that Lt. Col. Steve Koenig was definitely the absolute best choice for the job." said Petersen, "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the 433rd and its clear the squadron will be in good hands. I have enormous trust and confidence in Steve's leadership -- He understands the mission."

Koenig, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., and comes to the 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron from the 628th Civil Engineering Flight, Joint Base Charleston, N.C., where he served as the chief of readiness management. He is also a registered professional engineer in the state of Illinois.

"My priorities are pretty simple. As an operational reserve, we will maintain our readiness and we will be prepared to answer the call whenever it comes. We must be ready to do whatever our leadership calls upon us to do," Koenig said.

Koenig said in conclusion, "To the men and women of the 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron, your priorities in this order, are your family, your civilian career and your military career. I will do everything in my power to get you what you need. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you as we face the challenges to come."

The 433rd CES is made up of professionals from many areas in infrastructure. There are specialists in concrete, heating and air-conditioning, runway construction and repair, water management, structures and electrical. Members of the 433rd CES deploy regularly and help build and repair facilities in contingency zones and for humanitarian relief projects.