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380AEW Article

AFCENT Air Warfare Center change of command

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Walker
  • 380 AEW Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Col. Jeffery Patton took command of the Air Warfare Center, Air Force Central Command, during a ceremony here Aug. 12, 2015.

Lt. Gen. C.Q. Brown Jr., commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, presided over the ceremony and spent some time after the event touring the facilities and meeting the team.

The AWC was first conceived in 2000 at the Middle East Air Symposium with a vision of a large force training course to develop tactical leaders for Gulf Cooperation Council air forces. It operates in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, to host multinational exercises and the Advanced Tactical Leadership Course.

“I am honored and excited to be here,” said Patton. “The Air Warfare Center produces countless and priceless positive impressions around the world due to its Coalition training. It has a great heritage and I am proud to be a part of it.”

The AWC focuses on the integration of multinational forces with an emphasis on providing pilots experience of commanding, planning and executing missions in realistic scenarios.

The out-going commander, Col. Mark Blomme, said it was a privilege to have served with Coalition partners.

“It has been an honor to serve as commander during a historic period of cooperation,” said Blomme. “The Air Warfare Center is a unique organization where our relationships have strategic importance. Our work here gives coalition partners confidence to join combat operations.”

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

“I have no doubt that the Air Warfare Center will continue their tradition of excellence,” Brown said. “There is a tremendous Coalition partnership here demonstrated through the leadership taken by our host nation in the regional combat operations. The Air Warfare Center has a hand in building those relationships.”

Since AWC’s establishment, it has hosted 23 Advanced Tactical Leadership Courses and six regional air missile defense exercises focused on advancing partner nations’ capacity, interoperability and integration.