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380AEW Article

Al Dhafra welcomes new Air Warfare Center commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cara A. Fitzgerald
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing

AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates --Col. Jordan Grant took command of the U.S. Air Force Central Command Air Warfare Center during a ceremony presided by Lt. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella, U.S. AFCENT commander here June 10, 2020.

This year’s ceremony was conducted virtually to accommodate physical distancing guidelines due to COVID-19.

“I look forward to leading this great group of people who make up the AFCENT Air Warfare Center, it’s a small team with a big impact,” said Grant. “The AFCENT Air Warfare Center has 20 years of history – proving strategic impact a small team can have, building enduring partnerships with the United Arab Emirates and across the region.”

The charter of the AAWC originated with the 2000 Middle East Air Chief’s Symposium. The concept was to bring a Tactical Leadership Program to the Middle East. TLP’s mission is to increase the effectiveness of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allied Air Forces through the development of leadership skills, mission planning, briefing, tactical air operations, and de­briefing skills as well as conceptual and doctrinal initiatives. The concept went through several iterations, and in 2003, the Gulf Air Warfare Center was created here.

“AWC invests in the future, the work we do here lays the foundation for the future security of the United States and our close friends” said Grant.

The first formal training conducted by the newly formed Gulf Air Warfare Center was the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course in spring 2004. Since its inception, ATLC has conducted up to two courses per year and in the fall of 2019, ATLC graduated its 29th class. To date the course has graduated over 800 multinational mission commanders.

Through military exercises and academic courses, the AAWC continues to build partnerships, tactical capabilities and interoperability with partner nations.

“I am thrilled to make a difference for this mission and excited to serve the men and women of the Air Warfare Center” said Grant.