On Saturday, Lt. Col. Jason Kolacia officially took command of the Iowa Air National Guard 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge. He succeeded Lt. Col. Robin Hosch, who has retired after 35 years.

Olivia Kolacia surprised her father just before the change of command ceremony at the Fort Dodge base. She had flown from Florida, where she is attending college, to be at the event. She arrived about 10 minutes before the ceremony began, she said.

“He was happy to see me,” she said. “We are extremely proud of him and all the hard work he has put in.”

Olivia joined her siblings, Lilly and Elias, and their mother Jennifer, to see their father step into a prestigious role within the military.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Lt. Col. Jason Kolacia, of the Iowa Air National Guard, poses with his family following the change of command ceremony. From left to right are daughters Olivia and Lilly, wife Jennifer, Jason and son Elias.

“My beautiful wife Jenny, she is solid as a rock,” Jason Kolacia said during his speech. “I can’t even count the number of days that she stood by taking care of the house and children. My son was only 2 months old when I deployed overseas to Iraq. My wife never chastised me or was angry. Tired and worn out, yes. However, never angry at me for stealing time away from her and the family. My three children, Olivia, Lilly and Elias — you three complete me and I love you all so much.”

Kolacia, a Fort Dodge native, first joined the Iowa Air National Guard during his senior year at St. Edmond High School in 1993.

He has been the director of cyber operations and maintenance at the 133d Test Squadron. He is responsible for developing 80 Airmen and the management of eight different sections.

Among his many achievements, Kolacia was named 133d Test Squadron Officer of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

“It’s an honor to be here,” Kolacia said Saturday. “I’m grateful for all of you to be here to share this special moment with me. I want to thank families and friends in the audience who came from out of town to share this special moment with me. Some are retirees that I’ve worked with over my 28-year career and some are currently serving in the Iowa National Guard, either at the 185th in Sioux City or at the 132nd in Des Moines. Sincerely, thank you. I appreciate it.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Lt. Col. Jason Kolacia, of the Iowa Air National Guard, accepts a flag during the change of command ceremony on Saturday.

“I want to thank all of the leaders that came before me,” he continued. “At some point in time many of these leaders made an impression on me.”

Kolacia said he is blessed and that it’s an honor to serve all of the airmen at the 133rd Test Squadron.

“I appreciate those who have prayed for me and it’s truly an honor to be a member of the Iowa Air National Guard,” he said. “As I look into the audience, there are many that have contributed to my success, either in a small or large way. Most of you don’t know, but I spent a better part of the year after the 9/11 attacks here at the 133rd providing assistance wherever needed. I sat in a guard shack with the likes of Master Sgt. Ray Rosales, Master Sgt. Mark Miller and others providing base security. It was during this time that Lt. Col. Robin Hosch approached me about becoming an officer.”

At first, Kolacia said, ‘No,’ but later changed his mind after Hosch and others persuaded him.

“For this I am forever grateful,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Members of the Iowa Air National Guard stand in formation during the change of command ceremony Saturday.

Kolacia was complimentary of Hosch’s service.

“She has dedicated over 35 years here at the 133rd,” he said. “She worked her way up from an enlisted in the intel shop to an officer who served time in operations and maintenance before taking command of the 133rd in 2004. She has personally witnessed the Air Force and our squadron morph over the years from a tactical control squadron to a test squadron.”

Kolacia described Hosch’s contributions as “service before self at its finest.”

“While I can’t say we have always seen eye-to-eye, what I can say is I have learned a lot from her and I know from the bottom of my heart she cares for the people of this organization,” Kolacia said. “Today, I salute you for your service to our country, to the state of Iowa and to the 133rd Test Squadron.”

Addressing the members of the Air Guard in attendance, Kolacia said, “You are all equal to me and I promise to treat you with respect and dignity. In return all I ask is for you to abide by the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all you do.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Lt. Col. Jason Kolacia, of the Iowa Air National Guard, looks on during a change of command ceremony Saturday at the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge.

He added, “It’s an honor to be in your company and be your future leader.”

Hosch showed her confidence in Kolacia’s leadership with her words.

“This squadron has an outstanding track record of excellence and I know under Lt. Col. Kolacia’s command it will continue its standard of excellence and grow,” she said.

Hosch began her career as a traditional guardsman. In 1986, she became the first 133rd intelligence specialist.

In 2002, she was the first weapons director to control jets using remote radar and radios. She controlled Iowa jets from Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.

In 2003, she was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She earned an Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, which is just one of several achievements during her decorated career.

In 2004, she was selected as the Squadron Commander of the 133d Test Squadron.

She addressed Kolacia’s family in the final words of her speech.

“I would like my final words to be to Lilly and Elias,” Hosch said.

“Olivia I would have included you, but you left the family by going to Florida,” Hosch said in jest. “I know you are used to your dad being consumed at times by the military. Now at times he will become even more consumed by squadron events and that is all he will talk about. When that happens, I am tasking the both of you to keep him in check.

“To remind him to balance his military life with his personal family. That he has exceptional staff that he can trust to handle the squadron events. That his responsibility is to the squadron and it is to you and your family. This may sound like a simple task, but there will be times he will not want to listen. And it will be your role to remind him that by letting go and focusing on you, the events at the squadron will not be so overwhelming. Good luck. My final thanks to you all and happy trails.”