Photo By Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona | Honor Guard from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing present the colors during a change...... read more read more
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The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted the 386th Expeditionary Air Base Group change of command, Oct. 1, 2024, at an undisclosed location.
U.S. Air Force Col. Sergio Anaya, commander of the 386th AEW, presided over the ceremony and transferred the wing’s guidon from U.S. Air Force Col. Jeremy Sheppard to U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Welch, which symbolized the exchange of responsibility.
The change of command ceremony signifies the formal change of leadership in an organization with the passing of the guidon from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.
Sheppard led the 386th EABG for the past six months. During his remarks, he expressed his gratitude to the men and women of the 386th EABG and their ability to adapt throughout his tenure.
"Most of you still probably don't realize just how good you are,” Sheppard said, “because from day one, you have been in full execution mode for the past 120 days. What you did and how you did it, and what you accomplished was nothing short of remarkable. You made no excuses, and you adopted a get-to-yes mantra that has been the calling card for this rotation.”
As he assumed command, Welch took a moment to speak to the men and women of the 386th EABG.
"To the men and women of the EABG, as we step out on this rotation together, I want you to understand unequivocally that I have great confidence in your training, your abilities and your leadership,” Welch said. “With those unit level foundations, you will overcome any obstacle, and you will methodically deconstruct the new and unknown circumstances you have yet to encounter. You are extraordinary airmen, and you bring greatness to the fight.”
At his home station, Welch is the commander of the 19th Operations group based out of Little Rock AFB, Arkansas where he leads over 550 Airmen, three different squadrons, projecting and sustaining agile combat airlift forces.
Welch received his commission in 2002 from Washington State University, and started, initially as a logistics readiness officer, then he became a pilot.
As the new commander of the 386th EABG, Welch will lead a group with nine squadrons: Civil Engineering, Communications, Contracting, Force Support, Logistics Readiness, Maintenance, Medical, Operational Support and Security Forces.
This construct empowers Airmen at all ranks to be more adaptive, agile, survivable, and to move at a faster pace, ensuring the group continues to be a power projection platform in the region.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2024 01:18 |
| Story ID: | 482215 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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