Col. Schnulo takes command Published Aug. 26, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Anthony Graham 178th Fighter Wing SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Col. Gregory N. Schnulo, former Director of Staff, Ohio Joint Forces Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio, took command of the 178th Fighter Wing in a formal ceremony presided over by Brig. Gen. Mark E. Bartman Aug. 21 in Springfield, Ohio. Col. Harry M. "Mike" Roberts has been the commander of the 178th Fighter Wing for the past two and a half years. Colonel Roberts will retire from the Air National Guard Nov. 30 after more than 29 years of service. "I want to say 'thank you' to each and every member of the 178th here for what you've done to make this a world-class organization," said Colonel Roberts. Brig. Gen. Mark Bartman, the assistant to the adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, the adjutant general of the Ohio National Guard, Congressmen Steve Austria and Ohio Senator Chris Weidner addressed community leaders, family, and members of the 178 FW who were in attendance for the ceremony. "I see more opportunities coming for the 178th, expanded missions for the 178th and the base, and for everything that is to come with our new mission," General Ashenhurst said. Colonel Schnulo started his Air Force career in 1981 as an enlisted avionics technician in the 910th Airlift Group, U.S. Air Force Reserve. In 1983 he transferred to the 121st Tactical Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, in where he continued to serve as an aircraft mechanic. In 1988, Colonel Schnulo earned his commission through the Academy of Military Science, an Air National Guard commissioning program, returning to Ohio as a navigator at the 160th Air Refueling Group. Throughout his career, Colonel Schnulo has served in various operations and logistics positions in two Ohio Air National Guard units and commanded the 121st Security Forces Squadron from 2001 to 2007. He served as wing commander of the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. As the final speaker for the ceremony Colonel Schnulo had three thoughts for the wing. "First, this wing is going to be more in the fight than it has ever been in the past," said Colonel Schnulo. He also stated that leadership will provide members everything needed to be successful in the new missions. His final point was "Always remember this is the 178th. We're embarking on three missions, basically with the Recce Group, the Intel Group and the Support Group. It's going to be very easy for everybody to go divergent directions. We need to keep together. We're going to get through this together."