KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Lt. Col. Lisa L. Breal assumed command of the 403rd Mission Support Group during an assumption of command ceremony at the 41st Aerial Port Squadron Aug. 5.
The new commander will lead a group of 400 Reserve Citizen Airmen who provide security, communications, logistics, personnel management, and information management programs for the 403rd Wing.
Col. Stuart M. Rubio, 403rd Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, praising Breal’s past accomplishments.
He said that when he was interviewing personnel for the position, he was looking at three qualities: experience, perspective, and priorities.
“Lisa not only has a breadth of experience in her assignments, but she also has the perspective of serving in a variety of statuses,” said Rubio. “She’s served on active duty and in the Reserve as a TR (traditional reservist), IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), and AGR (Active, Guard, and Reserve). And concerning her priorities; what I have seen while working with her as a fellow squadron commander here is that she has a constant desire to improve her organization as well as further develop herself personally and professionally. And she will always take care of her Airmen.”
Breal, a Biloxi, Mississippi native, joined the Air Force in 2005, and her first assignment was as an active-duty public affairs officer with the 81st Training Wing. In 2007, she transitioned to the Air Force Reserve and worked as an Air Reserve Technician at the 403rd Wing, serving as an executive officer, force support operations officer, force support squadron commander, and the director of inspections. In 2018, she took an AGR assignment working at Air Force Reserve Command in the Special Inspections Branch and Force Integration Branch. Prior to becoming the group commander, she was the individual augmentee to the Air Force Reserve Deputy Director of Personnel at the Pentagon.
“You are able to see the bigger picture and can apply that knowledge here,” said Rubio. “We are looking to improve our wing and with your leadership we will build upon our success, and you will help lead us to bigger and better things.”
The new group commander proceeded to thank Rubio for the opportunity and her Airmen for their service and choice to volunteer to support and defend their country.
“I am grateful for every single one of you because your choice to serve has afforded me this amazing opportunity to lead you,” said Breal, who went on to make several promises for her tenure here.
“I promise the 403rd group commanders that I will work alongside them to continue to make the 403rd the Wing of Choice,” she said. “I promise my squadron commanders that I will strive to be what they need so they can do their jobs to organize, train, and equip you. I promise I will do everything I can to take care of you.”