14th CS receives new commander

  • Published
  • By Airman Josh Harbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Lieutenant Col. Jeffrey Granger relinquished command of the 14th Communications Squadron to Maj. Leo Lawson May 29 in a ceremony held at the Columbus Club. 

Major Lawson, born in Miami, Fla., attended the University of South Carolina double-majoring in media arts and office information systems. He later graduated from Webster University at Bolling AFB, Washington D.C., with a Master's degree in computer resources and information management. 

His Air Force career began as a Combat Camera Producer/Director at Travis AFB, Calif., and later went on to be the Deputy Chief of Protocol, Chief of the Network Control Center and the Information Systems Flight Commander. 

He was later selected to serve as an Operations Officers/Ceremonial Guardsman at the Air Force Honor Guard at Bolling AFB. During that time he directed more than 3,000 ceremonies annually over a five-state region. 

At Langley AFB, Va., he was the Action Officer on the Air Combat Command A6 staff where he provided the Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force Commander with Communication and Information forces for exercises and real-world contingencies.
In 2006, Maj. Lawson moved on to Keesler AFB, Miss., to serve as Director of Operations and was responsible for leading daily operations for communications and information training to more than 6,000 students annually. 

His military awards include the Meritorious Service medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal. He was recognized in 2007 as the 81st Training Wing Field Grade Officer of the Year and the 2006 and 2007 Communications and Information Professional of the Year.
 
The 14th CS provides essential communications and information systems, air traffic control and landing systems, visual information, and information management to support the flying training mission. It utilizes a 100-person military/civilian/contractor work force with a $2.3 million annual budget. Its personnel plan, acquire, coordinate and integrate upgrades to communications and information infrastructure, as well as provide combat-ready personnel for mobility taskings. 

Lieutenant Col. Granger is scheduled to deploy to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. He has served as the 14th Communications Squadron commander since June 2006.