GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Airmen of the 434th Maintenance Group welcomed their new commander, Lt. Col. John J. Valdes III, during an Assumption of Command ceremony held on May 17, 2025, at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana.
The 434th Maintenance Group is responsible for overseeing the Wing’s flying mission and the maintenance of the Air Force Reserve Command’s largest KC-135R Stratotanker group.
The presiding officer of the ceremony was the 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. Van Thai.
Before handing command of the 434th Maintenance Group over to Valdes, Thai took the stage to introduce the incoming commander.
“I know Col. Mayberry did an awesome job, but I know you’re the right person to take on the team,” said Thai. “Getting to know John, I know that he is a leader that emphasizes our core values of integrity first, excellence in service, but more than just the expertise, he’s humble, credible, and approachable…We are stoked that y’all are stepping up to the plate and we are looking forward to rocking the mish’ with you.”
Following Thai’s remarks, the two of them took to center stage and Thai passed the guidon onto Valdes, symbolizing the transfer of authority and responsibility.
“I consider you all to be family, or ohana, as the colonel [Thai] says. So, this is a distinct honor to be here before you today and to have this opportunity to fill what I would consider to be big shoes to fill.”
Valdes’s Air Force career spans over 25 years. In 2000, he was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Northern Illinois University, and from there he served on Active Duty for a decade before switching over to the Air Force Reserves. He officially became a member of the Grissom team in 2011 as the flight commander of the 434th Maintenance Squadron and then the deputy commander of the 434th Maintenance Group. Prior to this assignment, Valdes was serving as the deputy commander of the 515th Mobility Operations Group, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
During his remarks, Valdes also spoke on his civilian career. He shared that he has worked with the Pepsi Company for 18 years, and has a lot of experience in manufacturing, logistics, transportation, supply chain and warehousing.
“I look to bring those two worlds together as I take over this command, and that’s my commitment to you all. To take those experiences and to lead, support and develop you. My job is really to remove those obstacles for you, and that’s my commitment to ensure that you have the resources to get the job done, to rock the [mission].
Valdes ended by saying that he hopes to foster an environment of trust, respect, and excellence.