174th Maintenance Group Assumption of Command Published June 6, 2023 By Master Sgt. Barbara Olney 174th Maintenance Group Hancock Air National Guard Base, NY -- New York Air National Guard Col. Brett Batick became commander of the 174th Attack Wing Maintenance Group during an assumption of command ceremony held on June 3, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY. Col. Batick assumed command from Col. Catherine Hutson, who retired in May after 32 years of military service. Col. William McCrink III, 174th Attack Wing commander, presided over the ceremony. “It’s a special day as we transfer command from one great officer to another great officer,” Col. McCrink said. The formal assumption of command ceremony is a ceremony rooted in history, dating back to the Roman Legions. Military organizations developed flags or colors unique to their unit. Soldiers followed their colors into battle, and always knew whom to look to for leadership. The public exchange of colors acknowledges a formal change of command. “The maintenance group is very complex between having a field operating location, field training detachment, maintenance functions for supporting an aircraft, a ground control station, and satellite equipment. Col Hutson’s job was to enable you all to succeed, and she did exactly that,” said Col. McCrink. “We will continue to move forward under Col. Batick’s leadership, I expect the 174th Maintenance Group will continue to move forward and lean into developing multi capable airmen,” said Col. McCrink. Col. Batick graduated from the University of Florida in 1998 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Additionally, he earned a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2011. He previously served in the United States Marine Corps as an F/A-18 Pilot, 2-Plane and 4-Plane Flight Lead, and Airframes Division Officer in Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, Beaufort, South Carolina. He went on to be an Advanced Jet Flight Instructor at Training Squadron 9 in Meridian, Mississippi. After transitioning to the New York Air National Guard, Hancock Field, Syracuse, New York in 2013, he qualified as an evaluator pilot in the MQ-9 and served as the Director of Operations of the 138th Attack Squadron, Commander of the 138th Attack Squadron, and Commander of the 174th Operational Support Squadron. Col. Batick’s awards consist of the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal and Iraqi Campaign Medal. “I have been in the maintenance group for four years and can easily say the members in this group, without a doubt, lead the nation and quite literally the world in what we do here,” said Col. Batick.