NEW GLOUCESTER – Lt. Col. Barry S. MacNeill, a New Gloucester native, assumed command of the 98th Operations Support Squadron in ceremonies at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The presiding officer was Col. Wilhelm Percival, commander of the 98th Range Wing.

MacNeill, son of Carol MacNeill, Bald Hill Road, New Gloucester, and the late Rodney MacNeil, is a 1979 graduate of Gray-New Gloucester High School and a 1983 graduate of Syracuse University where he was commissioned a second lieutenant through ROTC.

He earned a master of aeronautical science degree from Embry-Riddle University in 1991. Trained as an electronic weapons officer, he has served in the Philippines and in bases in the U.S., flying the F-15 E Strike Eagle.

During the Gulf War he was stationed in Qatar to protect the no-fly zone. His duties have included instruction and evaluation of future weapons officers and direction of operations of the 57th Operations Support Squadron at Nellis.

MacNeill’s wife, Deborah, is a budget analyst at the base. They have a son, Barry Jr., 19, and daughters, Brooke and Blaire, 7.