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447th Transition of Authority

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eric Summers Jr.
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq --  The 447th Air Expeditionary Group was realigned from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing to the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing during the transfer of authority ceremony held here April 24, 2010.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., director, Air Component Coordination Element U.S. Forces- Iraq, was the presiding officer of the ceremony as Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, commander, of the 321st AEW, gained command of the 447th AEG from Brig. Ben. Craig Franklin, commander, 332nd AEW.

"I expect each of you will continue to provide the same great operational support as you have in the past under the leadership of the 332nd," said Gen. Hanson. "In fact I would contend that your day to day operations are not going to change all that much.

The 321st AEW's mission is to train and advice the Iraqi Air Force in core air force functions ranging from developing Iraqi airman, and commanding and controlling air power, to providing base operations support."

"Today the role of the 447th has been focused almost exclusively on supporting U.S. operations. But today's realignment; your mission adjust slightly by adding a mentoring component to your operation mission. " said the general.

The 447th AEG, located at Sather Air Base on the west side of Baghdad International Airport, was established in April 2003. Sather Air Base is a component of the Victory Base Complex, a series of U.S. Army camps, Iraqi Special Forces and Police training areas, all surrounding BIAP.