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Afghan Air Force Kandahar Air Wing Hosts the 451st Wing Change of Command

  • Published
  • By Col. Bernard Mater
  • 738th AEW CC
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan --  On 21 July 2010, the Kandahar Air Wing hosted the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Change of Command between Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh and Brig. Gen. Paul Johnson in a ceremony presided by Lt. Gen. Hostage, AFCENT Commander.

This was a tremendous opportunity for KAW to demonstrate their appreciation to Brig. Gen. Walsh for his support and the friendship the 451st AEW has given KAW's leaders and Airmen during the past year and to also welcome the new 451st AEW Commander, Brig. Gen. Johnson to Afghanistan.

Attending the ceremony and reception afterwards were many U.S. and NATO dignitaries including Gen. Fraser (Air Combat Command Commander), Maj. Gen. Lyon (ACCE-Air), Maj. Gen. Goldfein (ACC Operation Director), Brig. Gen. Boera (438th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander), Brig. Gen. Briggs (455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander), Brig. Gen. Murray (Deputy Commander of Regional Command South), Air Commodore Moulds (Commander Kandahar Air Field), Air Commodore Van Duren (RC-South Director of Staff) and CMSGT Villella (Command Chief for AFCENT). Five members of the Afghan National Police and 50 Afghan civic leaders also attended. Everyone enjoyed the music provided by the AFCENT Band and lunch provided by the Kandahar Air Wing.

The event also allowed the KAW Security Forces to practice the training and new equipment they've received from their NATO advisors. KAW Security Forces, in coordination with COMKAF Force Protection, screened the visitors and provided security for the 451 AEW Change of Command. Afterwards, Commander of Kandahar Air Field Force Protection complemented their AAF counterparts on their performance.

This shared event allowed many Afghans their first chance to witness a peaceful transition from one military leader to another. For the Afghan civic leaders, Honored Elders and Maliks attending, they saw the close partnership between the Afghan Air Force and Coalition partners. For the Afghan Air Force Airmen of the Kandahar Air Wing, this was another opportunity to meet their USAF & NATO counterparts. For all, the reception afterwards and an Afghan meal provided by the KAW/CC provided a great venue for furthering the ties between host and guests working together to improve the security of Afghanistan.