California State Guard

Air Unit Change of Command Ceremony
By Maj. (CA) LaStacia Neat, California State Guard

Airmen, soldiers, family members, and distinguished guests gathered to witness the official change of command ceremony for the Air Readiness Command marking the transition of leadership from Outgoing Commander Col. (CA) Clyde Doheney to Incoming Commander Col. (CA) John Lundholm.

The ceremony was Presided over by California State Guard Deputy Commander, Brig. Gen. Dwayne Tadlock honoring the leadership and accomplishments of the outgoing commander while formally welcoming the new commander responsible for leading the unit into its next chapter.

During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. (CA) Tadlock thanked Col. (CA) Doheney for their dedication and leadership throughout their tenure of service over the last 35 Years in the Airforce and 22 years in the State Guard.

In farewell remarks, Col. (CA) Doheney expressed gratitude to the Airmen who serve.
“Thank you all who are here and the Air Readiness command. I am proud to pass command to Col. (CA) Lundholm. He has put in a long time in Air National Guard and now has already got a pretty good strong start with the California State Guard.”

Following the passing of the guidon, Col. (CA) Lundholm addressed the force emphasizing commitment to the mission and support for the Airmen. The ceremony marked not only a transition in leadership but also the continuation of the California State Guard Air Readiness Component’s mission to support the California National Guard and the California State Military Department. Under Col. (CA) Lundholm’s leadership, the unit will continue to build on its strong foundation of readiness, professionalism, and volunteer service to the state of California.

Congratulations to Senior Airmen (CA) Travis Crismore and Sergeant Kris Weber! Selected as California State Guard’s Soldier Member Employee of Year.

Photos by Col. (CA) Betty-Singleton, Commander of Recruiting Command, California State Guard

Leadership Awards at Holiday Ball, December 13, 2025

Photos by Spc. (CA) Raymond Nguyen — California State Guard

Senior Non-Commission Officer of the Year E7-E8:
MSG (CA) Fernando Gonzalez Sunburst Youth Academy

Senior Non-Commission Officer of the Year E8-E9:
CMSgt (CA) Dan Greenawalt/ Air Readiness Command

Junior Warrant Officer of the year W01-03 (CSG):
CW2 Stacy Hendrickson, Director of Starbase Academies

Junior Officer of the year 01-02 (CSG):
1LT John Kutzer, Commander 1-18th Cav SPT DET

Mid-Grade Officer of the year-03 (CSG):
CPT(CA) Lastacia Neat, HQ Staff Det./Aid De Camp

Field Grade Officer of the year -04 (CSG)
MAJ (CA) Mitchel Cochran, HQ Staff Det./C4

Field Grade Officer of the year -05 (CSG)
LTC (CA) Stephen Wiley, Forces Support Command/49th MP SD

Senior Officer of the year -06 (CSG)
COL (CA) Shilo Briggs, Army Readiness Command/Commander

Brig. Gen. (CA) Duane Tadlock Advice For Newly Commissioned Officers at Holiday Ball, December 13, 2025

We can always talk about leading from the front, leading by example. Not asking somebody to do something, they wouldn't do themselves or haven't already done. But then I was actually thinking about our newest lieutenants here before me. And I kind of spelled a parallel. Not only do I have a long standing career in the California State Guard, but I've also been in law enforcement for over 39 years. And I saw a parallel, the police academy and OCS, they both trained and equipped a new person for a new career. They teach them laws, regulations, how to write reports. And as I thought about it, I thought about my experience when I graduated from the police academy in 1986. And I felt like we got this. We know what we're doing now. We been trained, we taught, what we were taught, and we're ready to go. But then when I got out on the street and I realized I didn't know. And I didn't know that the academy and OCS really prepared me to be prepared to have a training officer or that senior, Command Sergeant Major, to mentor me and guide me and show me the way.

So I encourage you, our new lieutenants, to heed your Command Sergeant Major's advice. You're in training now. You've been equipped to go and take on new rules, new responsibilities, but rely on your Sergeants to guide you in the way, and treat you, teach you, what is expected, not just from the books, and the lessons, and the examples, but from their experience, and their mentorship. And they want to make you the best officer that you can be. Trust that.

Officers of the Accelerated Commissioning Program Get Sworn-In and Pinned, Riverside Convention Center, December 13, 2025

Photos by Spc. (CA) Raymond Nguyen — California State Guard

Lt. Col. (CA) Brenda Threatt, Chaplain (Installation Support Command) Holiday Ball Prayer, Riverside Convention Center, December 13, 2025

And so let us pray. Gracious God, in a year of personal loss, pain, and suffering. You have brought this military organization through it to be better than we were of a year ago, to be better tomorrow than we are today.

Thank you. Thank you, God, for showing us there is more joy than sorrow. There is more help than harm. There is more love than hate. Thank you for the food we are about to receive, the hands that prepared the food, the hands that will serve the food, and the brothers and sisters, by our side, will enjoy the food.

And God, we thank you for the disappointment in Long Beach that became the extraordinary, extraordinary opportunity to party tonight in Riverside. We pray this prayer with gratitude in your name. Amen.