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General Neubauer takes command of 332nd

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer has taken the reins of 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing from Maj. Gen. Craig Franklin, during a change-of-command ceremony Oct. 5, 2010, Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

"Today we celebrate the past, take pride in our team and focus on our future," said General Neubauer. "We take pride in our strong Iraqi and American teamwork to face our challenges, and we will focus on transferring JBB back to the government of Iraq. To our Iraqi hosts I look forward to serving alongside you, and to the servicemembers of JBB I'm proud to stand with you."

General Neubauer was the commander of the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., where he led the largest and only active-duty F-16 training base in the world with more than 160 F-16s assigned. Now, he comes to JBB in a time of great transition in Iraq; and as the schoolhouses of Luke transition Airmen into fighter pilots, American Forces help transition Iraqi servicemembers into self-reliant professionals.

Before General Franklin relinquished command, he had a few poignant words for the Airmen of the wing.

"To the members of the 332 AEW, I will miss the teamwork and joys I've had everyday working for you and with you," said General Franklin, a native of Chicago, Ill. "Anything said about me today is really attributable to all of you."

General Franklin will use the knowledge and experience gained in his 15-month tour as commander of the 332 AEW in an assignment at the Pentagon.