EHT graduate takes Air Force squadron command

By Jordan Wompierski
Shore News Today
Thursday, 30 June 2011 09:16

AFGHANISTAN – United States Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Grace was appointed squadron commander of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan on Monday, June 20.

Grace is a combat veteran with more than 2,500 hours flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II jet aircraft. A 1990 graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School, he attended the U.S. Air Force Academy of Colorado Springs and received his commission in 1994.

As commander, Grace will be leading support operations at Kandahar Airfield and flying combat close air support (CAS) missions for U.S. airmen, soldiers, Marines, and NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) currently engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Grace said he is proud to be assuming a combat command within the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, where the mission is to provide combat forces and humanitarian operations 24/7 to restore a secure and stable Afghanistan.

"Despite an intense operations tempo, we continue to excel as we take the fight to the enemy and build trust and security for the people of Afghanistan," he said.

Grace is the son of Egg Harbor Township resident Regina Stasuk and her husband, Steve, who expressed pride in their son.

"Any parent would be proud," Regina Stasuk said. "He's doing a wonderful thing for our country and he's going to make a great commander."

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