Waukon native assumes command of U.S. Air Force 782d Training Group ...

Colonel Daniel W. Lemon relinquished command of the 782d Training Group (TRG) to Colonel Eric D. Haler in a ceremony held July 19 at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita, TX. The ceremony was officiated by Brigadier General George Dietrich III, 82nd Training Wing commander. The 782d TRG is widely known as the most diverse training group in the Air Force, and includes courses in civil engineering, petroleum oil lubricants, hydraulics, electrical and environmental systems, avionics and more that are taught across five states, including Texas, Missouri, Virginia, Mississippi and Florida.

In the photo above, submitted with the news release from the Sheppard Air Force Base Public Affairs Office, Brigadier General Dietrich (left) passes the guidon to Col. Haler (right) as the new commander of the 782d Training Group. Col. Haler is the son of Don and DiAnne Haler of Waukon and a 1995 graduate of Waukon High School. He was promoted to Colonel (O-6) in the U.S. Air Force in August of 2021 and had been serving as the Director of Customer Operations for the Defense Logistics Agency Energy headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA.

Col. Haler, a 782d TRG alumnus himself, expressed his gratitude to his family and everyone who had supported him up to this point in his career before expressing his excitement to work with and lead the bright, energetic and innovative Airmen who serve as the Air Force’s greatest resource. “The future of the Air Force is here, and our future is looking bright,” Col. Haler exclaimed.