• Col. Corey Martin assumed command of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing from Col. James Jacobson during a ceremony held inside the community activities center on June 13. • Jacobson was awarded the Bronze Star for his service as commander of the 376 AEW. • Goldfein expressed confidence in the leadership of Martin, "I only put forward one name. Colonel Martin is perfectly suited for this command," he said. • "We are grateful for your continued partnership and support. I look forward to building on the strong relationship that has developed here at the Transit Center," said Martin.
Photos
Col. Corey Martin assumes command of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing from Lt. Gen. David Goldfein during the wing?s change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Martin said that it is a privilege to be able to perform the vital mission at the Transit Center with the help of the people of Kyrgyz Republic. Goldfein is the U.S. Air Forces Central commander and Martin is the 376 AEW commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Senior Master Sgt. Craig Eyre holds the 376th Expeditionary Operations Group guidon during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Guidons like this one, represent the different groups under the 376 AEW. Eyre is the 376 EOG senior enlisted manager deployed out of Scott Air Force Base, Ill. and is a native of Point Arena, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
A multi-national color guard comprised of U.S. and Kyrgyz Republic honor guardsmen post the colors during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. The partnership between the two honor guards is emblematic of the strong relationship between the two nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Aliman Temirbek sings the Kyrgyz Republic National Anthem during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. The Kyrgyz Republic and the U.S. National Anthem were both sung at the ceremony. Temirbek is a 376 AEW media relations specialist. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Lt. Gen. David Goldfein shares opening remarks with attendees during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Goldfein was thankful for the successful leadership of Col. James Jacobson and the generosity of the Kyrgyz Republic partners. He is the U.S. Air Forces Central commander, Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Col. Corey Martin renders his first salute as commander during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Martin, serving as the Transit Center director, is responsible for the wing's around-the-clock missions that consist of aerial refueling, airlift, onward movement of troops, and strengthening the partnership of the Kyrgyz Republic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Lt. Gen. David Goldfein presents the Bronze Star medal to Col. James Jacobson during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Jacobson was awarded the Bronze Star for outstanding leadership and overseeing the around-the-clock operations at the Transit Center. Goldfein is the U.S. Air Forces Central commander and Jacobson is the outgoing 376 AEW commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Col. Corey Martin shares remarks with attendees during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Martin said that he is looking forward to working with Transit Center Airmen and Kyrgyz Republic partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Col. Corey Martin renders his first salute as commander during the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Martin, serving as the Transit Center director, is responsible for the wing's around-the-clock missions that consist of aerial refueling, airlift, onward movement of troops, and strengthening the partnership of the Kyrgyz Republic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
Col. Corey Martin speaks to Kyrgyz Republic media during an interview at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2012. Martin expressed how he is looking forward to working with Kyrgyz Republic partners and Airmen at the Transit Center. Martin is the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)
by Staff Sgt Matt Benedetti
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
6/13/2012 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- Col. Corey Martin assumed command of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing from Col. James Jacobson during a ceremony held inside the community activities center on June 13. Presiding over the change of command was Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. Air Forces Central commander, Southwest Asia.
The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries from the Kyrgyz Republic and the international diplomatic community including U.S. Ambassador Pamela Spratlen, who presented the opening remarks.
"We will miss Colonel Jacobson's teamwork, patriotism and dedication. My colleagues in the Department of State in Washington also want to applaud you for the outstanding job that you have done," Spratlen said.
Jacobson was awarded the Bronze Star for his service as commander of the 376 AEW. He will serve as Global Mobility Panel Chair at the Pentagon in his next assignment.
Goldfein expressed confidence in the leadership of Martin, "I only put forward one name. Colonel Martin is perfectly suited for this command," he said.
In talking about taking command and working with the Kyrgz people, Martin said that, "It is a privilege to be able to perform this vital mission side-by-side with you. You are seeing America's finest patriots -- Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen -- transit your country."
The Transit Center at Manas serves as a premier air mobility hub for coalition forces operating in the Area of Responsibility. The around the clock missions consist of aerial refueling, airlift, onward movement of troops and strengthening partnerships with the Kyrgz Republic.
Martin is a command pilot with more than 3,700 flying hours. He is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1991. He served as a C-141 and C-17 examiner airdrop aircraft commander, chief of wing safety, squadron commander and various staff assignments at the major command and combatant command level. Martin has operational flying experience during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and deployed squadron command experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Martin arrives from Kadena Air Base, Japan where he served as 18th Wing vice commander.
"We are grateful for your continued partnership and support. I look forward to building on the strong relationship that has developed here at the Transit Center," said Martin.
Local residents were eager to welcome Martin. "I would like to thank Colonel Jacobson for inviting us and wish good luck to the new commander. We wish him well," said Aidarov Samuddin, Village Mayor of Jahny-Jehr.
