Col. Charles W. Lyon, a command combat pilot, is the new commander of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base since July 2003. Prior to his appointment, Lyon served as the 57th Operations Group commander at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. He received his commission from the Citadel's Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Charleston, S.C., in 1980 and graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1982.

Lyon is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including combat over Iraq and Serbia/Kosovo.

He has received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service and Air medals.