180th Fighter Wing Change of Command Published March 1, 2011 By Capt. Katherine Cherolis Public Affairs Swanton, Ohio -- 12 February 2011 - Colonel Steven Nordhaus officially took command of the 180th Fighter Wing during a change of command ceremony held at the Swanton Air National Guard base, Ohio, February 5. The ceremony was presided over by Major General Deborah A. Ashenhurst, the Adjutant General for Ohio Col. Nordhaus received the 180th guidon from Maj. Gen. Ashenhurst, officially denoting the departure of Col. Mark Bartman, who was recently promoted to the Assistant Adjutant General for Air for the Ohio National Guard. Col. Bartman, who served as wing commander for the past five years and said "Having had an opportunity to work and lead some of the best warriors in the USAF was just incredible. I would not have traded that experience for anything." The new 180th FW Commander, Col. Nordhaus, previously served as the 180th FW Vice Commander for the past two years. He is a United States Air Force Academy graduate and a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours including 83 combat missions in Operations Southern Watch, Vigilant Warrior, Northern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The new wing commander was overjoyed and filled with appreciation for the support of his family through the years. And he looked forward to the addition of an eighth member, all members of the 180th Fighter Wing, to his family. As the incoming 180th FW Commander, what are your goals? My goals are to be the best team member I can be for our wing team and assist the wing with my best effort everyday to help make the 180 FW the best Fighter Wing in the world! I want to bring perpetual optimism, a warrior spirit, and service-mentor leadership to this wing with a People First-Mission Always goal! The ceremony was attended by the Airman of the 180th Fighter Wing, the Representative Marcy Kaptur, U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Teresa Fedor, Ohio's 47th District, Mayor Mike Bell, City of Toledo, Mayor James Bushong, Village of Swanton, other state and local dignitaries, plus members of both Col. Nordhaus and Col. Bartman's family.