BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Col. David Lesko assumed command of Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization Detachment 5, following the retirement of long-time commander, Col. Chester Frost, June 20.
Detachment 5 is located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and centrally manages Individual Mobilization Augmentees in the chaplain, legal, medical and history career fields, as well as those assigned to Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command.
Frost led Detachment 5 since the Readiness Management Group days when it was designated Detachment 14.
Col. Carolyn Stickell, the HQ RIO commander, thanked Frost for his commitment to the Individual Reserve and said his retirement is a loss for the program.
“Chester has served the Air Force Reserves for many years and his retirement is a huge loss in terms of his corporate knowledge and expertise,” said Stickell. “I have enjoyed serving with him and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Lesko has served as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee for 14 years in a variety of capacities, most recently at the Air Force Surgeon General’s Office. He said he’s looking forward to bringing his experiences as an IMA to the Detachment 5 population.
“What I want to accomplish is to make sure that the processes we are a part of and support are as efficient as possible,” he said.
The HQ RIO commander is excited to have Lesko join her organization. She said his experience at the Air Force Surgeon General’s Headquarters and as the deputy director of Reserve Medical will translate well to the management of his IR population.
“The folks who fall under the purview of Det 5 are a unique group,” said Stickell. “Dave’s long history as an IMA in the medical field has given him first-hand experience that he can employ as Det 5's new Commander, and I'm confident he's the right person to continue moving the detachment forward."