CHANGE OF COMMAND NEW LEADER ON DUTY AT PLANT 42.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Lt. Col. Ronald Ortiz assumed command of Air Force Plant 42 in a Tuesday ceremony that marked both his arrival and the pending retirement of Lt. Col. Celeo Wright, the installation's leader for the last three years.

In a ceremony attended by more than 100 government and civic leaders, Ortiz became the leader of the Antelope Valley's second largest employer, behind only Edwards Air Force Base. Plant 42 is used by three of the nation's largest defense contractors: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing.

``I'm in the business of customer support,'' Ortiz said about working with the defense contractors. ``It's my job to ensure the facility is up and running, and they can meet their missions' requirements.''

As commander, Ortiz will oversee an installation that, along with the neighboring Lockheed Martin plant, employs more than 6,300 people. Work at Plant 42 includes the production of the unmanned Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft and modification operations for the B-2 bomber fleet, the F-117 stealth fighter and the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.

Ortiz was commissioned through the ROTC in 1986 while earning a bachelor of science degree in engineering management from Southern Methodist University. His military career has included a stint with the Defense Contract Management Command, supporting space launch vehicles and space-based systems, and duty with the National Reconnaissance Office in a variety of positions.

``He has the right background to take care of the problems and issues you have at Plant 42,'' said Col. Paul Copp, deputy director of Plant 42's parent division, the Air Force Aeronautical System Center's Engineering Division. ``He has good experience with industry and Air Force customers. I think he will step in and handle this job.''

Ortiz was most recently a program manager in the Bases and Units Branch of Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. He was responsible for conducting site surveys, preparing programming plans and leading site-activation task force visits.

The ceremony Tuesday also marked Wright's retirement. Commander at Plant 42 since April 2000, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

``We're proud of everything he has done for us ... at Plant 42,'' Copp said. ``We will miss him dearly.''

Wright said he is looking for work in the defense-acquisition field and house-hunting in the Antelope Valley.

``It's grown on me,'' he said about the valley. ``We've made a lot of friends.''

Wright lists the first flights of the joint strike fighter prototypes among the highlights of his tenure. Others include seeing the Global Hawk fly from the installation and seeing a medal ceremony for John Medellin, a Quartz Hill resident recognized for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Wright joined the Air Force in 1973 as an enlisted man and served until 1979. After dropping plans for a career in law enforcement, he attended the University of South Carolina as a business major and received his commission in 1981 through ROTC.

``He commanded with distinction,'' said Mayor Jim Ledford, calling members of Wright's family assets to the community. ``Their decision to stay here after his retirement is a win-win for the valley. He's a good guy.''

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) At left, the outgoing Plant 42 commander, Lt. Col. Celeo Wright, left, and the new commander, Lt. Col. Ronald Ortiz, share a platform Tuesday. Above, Col. Paul Copp gives the command flag to Ortiz. Master Sgt. Tim Hughes and Wright watch.

(3 -- color) A color guard and top brass stand at attention for the national anthem Tuesday during a change-of-command ceremony at Air Force Plant 42.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer