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701st Airlift Squadron changes hands

  • Published
  • By 1Lt Joe Simms
  • 315th AW Public Affairs
Joint Base Charleston --  Colonel Michael Zaccardo relinquished command of the 701st Airlift Squadron here during a change of command ceremony August 18.

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Rick Bennett assumed command of the 701st AS as Zaccardo transitioned to a position in the 315th Operations Support Squadron.

Zachardo began his Air Force career in 1985 as a graduate from the Air Force Academy and joined the Air Force Reserve in 1994. As a command pilot he has logged more than 11,200 flight hours in both civilian and military aircraft.

This is the first squadron commander position for Bennett who previously served as a member of 317th Airlift Squadron. During the ceremony Colonel Terry Lawrence, 315th Operations Group Commander, praised Bennett for his hard work and knows the 701st is in capable hands.

"Rick has been a great asset to the 315th and after a grueling selection process I knew he was the right man for the job," he said. "His dedication and attention to detail has already produced results throughout the building and I know he'll bring the same work ethic to the 701st."