U.S. ARMY GARRISON PRESIDO OF MONTEREY, Calif -- Maj. Fiona Pham assumed command of the 353d Recruiting Squadron, headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California, during an assumption of command ceremony held July 29, 2026, U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey, California, taking the helm of one of the Air Force Reserve’s largest recruiting units spanning from the Rocky Mountains to the U.S. Pacific territories.
The ceremony was presided over by U.S. Air Force Col. Sean “Metro” Fellows, commander of the 367th Recruiting Group, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, on the historic Soldier Field overlooking the Monterey Bay, California.
Fellows set the tone for the ceremony early, drawing on Monterey’s historical legacy of a pioneer spirit on the Pacific frontier to frame the weight of the occasion.
“Frontiers have never been tamed by the timid,” said Fellows. “They are tamed by people who ride further than anyone thought reasonable because the mission demands it. This squadron has delivered over 2,118 accessions, the best squadron output in four years. That did not happen by accident. It happened because recruiters, flight chiefs, and support staff refused to let the tyranny of distance become an excuse.”
Before turning to Pham, Fellows honored Maj. Allie Dallas Zillweger, who served as interim commander, alongside Chief Master Sgt. Shane Campbell, 353 RCS senior enlisted leader.
“This Squadron has weathered a season of change in recent months,” Fellows said. “And through it, Maj. Zillweger has held the helm firmly. She led. She kept this formation steady. But moreover, she kept the mission moving. And made sure that when this day came, she was handing forward a squadron ready to continue to climb high.”
Fellows continued by thanking Zillweger for her selfless stewardship of this team, as well as her wingman Campbell and 1st Sgt. Ashley Welsher, 353 RCS, Fellows said. She held the line with character and commitment.
When Fellows turned to the incoming commander, he leaned into Pham’s determination, direction, and leadership to shine light on her homecoming to the 353 RCS as she was once a 353 RCS operations officer.
“First, choosing to become an American, and then choosing to join the elite that this nation has,” said Fellows. “The 1% of Americans who've raised their hands to the heavens, to swear to protect our nation and all that she stands for. My friends, this is not a footnote in Fiona's record.”
After becoming a U.S. citizen at 16, Pham built a career in logistics readiness with assignments at Laughlin, Barksdale and Little Rock Air Force Bases, followed by a joint tour in Nairobi, Kenya, where she put her Swahili language skills to use.
She later served as an inspector at the group and numbered Air Force levels before overseeing compliance for 18 wings and more than 33,000 personnel across Fourth Air Force.
Now, Pham returns to the squadron she helped shape as operations officer from 2022 to 2024, bringing both familiar leadership and a renewed commitment to the Airmen she once served alongside.
Pham opened her initial remarks by thanking friends, family, leadership, and mostly, the recruiters. Pham was direct about what success will look like under her watch.
“I promise that we'll face every challenge together as it comes,” said Pham. “I'll be here to support and empower Airmen every step of the way. Grounded in strong character and integrity in all that we do, we'll be just fine. I'm truly grateful to be back.”
The 353 RCS, nicknamed the Wild Wild West, is one of four squadrons within the 367 RCG. Its mission: inspire, engage, and recruit future Airmen to deliver airpower for America.
Fights on for the Western Frontier!
To learn more about serving in the Air Force, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve, go to www.airforce.com/find-a-recruiter or download the AIM HIGH app to speak directly with a recruiter.