215th Change of Command

Story & photos by Maj Herb Porter

The 215th Engineering Installation Squadron (EIS), Everett, WA, Washington Air National Guard, installed as its new commander an Air Force Academy graduate, Lieutenant Colonel Ray B. Lynn, during a recent change of command ceremony. He replaced outgoing commander, Lieutenant Colonel Richard B. Herrick, who will be retiring in December.

Outgoing Commander, Lt. Col. Herrick

Lt. Col. Lynn brings with him years of military experience.  He has served both as a pilot and Brigade Air Liaison Officer, prior to assuming the reins of command at the Everett unit. He was born in 1953 in San Bernardino, CA.  He was commissioned after graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

Lt. Col. Lynn became a pilot and instructor pilot both in the T-38 and F-106 aircraft. In 1986 he joined the Montana Air National Guard where he served until 1993. In 1994 he came to the Puget Sound Area and joined the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) as a Brigade Air Liaison Officer. He served in that capacity until his selection as commander of the 215th. Lieutenant Colonel Lynn works as an airline pilot for Delta Airlines.

New Commander, Lt Col Lynn, on right

The mission of the 215 EIS is to install, maintain, modify, and reconstitute communications-computer systems, preparing for war, mobilization, and contingencies through peacetime training.  The tradition of the unit is rich in history. It was initially activated during World War II as the U.S. Army’s 94th Company Service Group. It was later assigned to the 5th Air Force, where it received battle credits for the New Guinea and Southern Philippines campaigns of 1945. After the war, the unit was transferred to Korea. In 1948 it was redesignated as the 610th Signal Light Construction Company and allotted to the National Guard. In January 1950, the unit was redesignated as an Air National Guard unit, and was mobilized into federal service during the Korean War. At the end of the conflict, the squadron was redesignated as the 215th Communications Construction Squadron. Since that time, the unit has undergone several name and mission changes until its last redesignation in 1983. The 215th Electronics Installation Squadron became the 215th Engineering Installation Squadron as it is known today, as part of the Air Force Materiel Command, at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.