News

Melançon assumes command of CES

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Lieutenant Col. Patrice Melançon assumed command of the 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Jan. 30. 

Colonel Melançon's most recent assignment has been as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee to Air Education and Training Command's Civil Engineer. She will act as commander of the 14th CES until Lt. Col. Rob Germann returns from his deployment. 

The 14th CES is composed of seven flights with over 200 active duty military, civilian and contract employees. The 14th Civil Engineer Squadron provides planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance, and disaster preparedness support through responsible management of 6,016 acres, 842 facilities, 637 housing units, and all base infrastructures valued at $133 million with an annual budget of $10 million. Additionally, they provide base fire and environmental protection, as well as support Air Force contingency 

Her first AETC assignment was as the IMA to the Environmental Branch. She supported ESOHCAMP visits and presented the Commander's Environmental Leadership Course. Colonel Melançon was recalled to active duty following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. She supported Operation Enduring Freedom, assigned to Central Command Air Forces, Shaw AFB, S.C. As the CENTAF Environmental Program Manager, she was responsible for researching, developing and/or providing guidance on all environmental matters related to operations at forward deployed locations in the Middle East and Central Asian States. Then Major Melançon also served as one of only two staff members responsible for validating and updating personnel and equipment requirements for all forward deployed locations. Her outstanding performance as Environmental Program Manager garnered recognition as the 2003 General Edwin W. Rawlings Award Recipient - Air Force Environmental Excellence, Management Category. 

"It is really a unique privilege for a reservist to lead the men and women of an active duty squadron" reflected Lt. Col. Melançon. "I am very exited to be here."