News photo by Reagan Voetberg On Friday, Lt. Col. Lucas Freudenburg accepts the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center flag from Commander of the Michigan Air National Guard Brigadier General Daniel Kramer II as a symbol of Freudenburg accepting his new position as commander of the air base.

ALPENA — Lt. Col. Lucas Freudenburg was officially made the new commander of the

Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in a change of command ceremony on Friday.

The ceremony was scheduled to take place in October but was postponed due to the federal government shutdown.

The Master of Ceremonies, Master Sergeant Alex Miller, began the ceremony by introducing the special guests in attendance, including several former CRTC commanders.

The audience then stood as the official party entered the room, which included Presiding Official and Commander of the Michigan Air National Guard Brigadier General Daniel Kramer II; Former CRTC Commander Col. Michael Whitefoot; and Freudenburg.

All remained standing for the national anthem and the invocation by Chaplain Lt. Col. Courtland Pitt.

Kramer and Whitefoot said a few words before the main part of the ceremony, where the CRTC flag changes hands to symbolically represent the change of command.

“This is a great day; this is an opportunity to celebrate the change in command,” Kramer said. “What it is not though, it is not a retirement ceremony. It’s not a promotion ceremony. It’s not about individuals today. We’re talking about the change of command that signifies the successful transfer of command from one commander to the next. It’s really about the women and men who serve under the CRTC.”

Kramer acknowledged some of Whitefoot’s accomplishments in his 14 months as CRTC commander, including two successful Northern Strikes and his leadership during the ice storm at the end of March.

Kramer then talked about his offer to Freudenburg to become the new CRTC commander.

“The first test was to ask, ‘Would you accept that position and offer?'” Kramer said. “He did. He was maybe a little wiser than (Whitefoot), he said, ‘Let me talk to Jillian.'”

Jillian is Freudenburg’s wife.

Kramer ended with a remark about the meaning of leadership.

“Leadership’s not about being the best,” he said. “It’s about making those around you better.”

Whitefoot was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal, which is a prestigious U.S. military award for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service, before giving a speech of his own.

Whitefoot was filled with emotion as he thanked his wife for standing by his side and handed her a bouquet of flowers. He also expressed his appreciation for all the people he has worked with.

“But most of all, to the airmen and civilian professionals of the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center,” Whitefoot said. “You are the heart of this installation. You know that. I know that. You are truly elite.”

During the ceremonial change of command, Col. Whitefoot handed Kramer the CRTC flag to symbolize relinquishing command. Then, Kramer handed the flag to Freudenburg, symbolic of Freudenburg accepting command.

Freudenburg took to the podium and started his speech by thanking the people he has worked with and his family.

Freudenburg handed bouquets of flowers to his wife and their two daughters.

“To my rock, my inspiration, my best friend, my wife, Jillian, I express my deepest gratitude for letting me be able to come up here and do what I love,” he said. “The next few years are going to present us with some significant challenges, and we know that this period of separation will be difficult. But knowing I have you by my side gives me strength.”

Freudenburg’s family will continue to live downstate while he is commander.

Freudenburg has spent a significant amount of time in Alpena. He first visited in 2000 with his college roommates to go ice fishing on Hubbard Lake.

In 2004, he came to the base as an ammo troop, and came up again in 2008 for honor guard training. He met his wife in 2008 and came to visit her family in Alpena a couple times a year from then on. He served as the inspector general for the CRTC in 2021-2023 and made trips to the base then.

“I will be a leader that you can count on,” Freudenburg said in a closing statement. “I will hold you accountable when you stray, encourage you when you excel, set the example you deserve to follow, and above all, care for you as human beings.”

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.