Marine takes helm of Air Force wing at Eglin Published Jan. 27, 2010 By Ashley M. Wright 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- A Marine assumed command of the Air Force's 33rd Fighter Wing here recently while the commander attends a professional military education course. Marine Col. Arthur Tomassetti will lead the 33rd FW as he has been the vice commander of the joint unit of Airmen, Sailor and Marines who will train military members and international partners on F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. "I am humbled to have been entrusted with commanding the 33rd FW in the commander's absence," Colonel Tomassetti said. "Humbled not because he trusted me to run the organization, but humbled because he trusted me to take care of our Marines, Sailors, Airman and civilians. I am sure I will have to learn some unique Air Force procedures and processes, but command and leadership do not follow service lines; across the board, it comes down to the basic principle of taking care of your people and enabling them to be successful at the mission." "The 33rd (Fighter) Wing is a joint organization, so it should be no surprise that the vice commander takes the helm, regardless of service affiliation," said Col. David Hlatky, the 33rd FW commander. "Colonel Tomassetti is a superior officer, and I have complete faith in his leadership. Exceptional leadership is a joint quality recognized throughout this wing from all services." Colonel Tomassetti will lead more than 100 members from three branches of services in day-to-day operations, as the unit continues to grow. "Our focus over the next few weeks will be getting ready for training," Colonel Tomassetti said. "We will continue to grow in numbers of people, and we are making sure everyone who checks into the command understands the joint nature of the organization and appreciates the opportunity they have to interact with brothers and sisters in different uniforms and the civilians we have supporting the wing." According to the Web site www.thartanterror.blogspot.com, Colonel Tomassetti served as a member of the Joint Strike Fighter Test Force and became the lead government pilot for the X-35 test team. He was the only U.S. Government pilot to fly all three variants of the X-35 aircraft and flew the first short take-off, level supersonic dash and vertical landing accomplished on a single flight. "It is particularly satisfying for me since I was privileged to have commanded a Navy squadron, a Marine aviation detachment and now, at least for a few weeks, an Air Force fighter wing," Colonel Tomassetti said.