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New commander continues charge for 380th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kinder Blacke
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Andrew Clark assumed command of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Larry Broadwell during a change of command ceremony at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, June 8.

 

The ceremony was officiated virtually by Lt. Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), who praised Broadwell for leading “an almost complete reshaping of the wing’s mission, adjusting to a changing geo-political landscape, while ensuring 380th air power was at the right place at the right time to meet the CENTCOM mission.”

 

Broadwell expressed gratitude to the entire ADAB team for their accomplishments during his command, including “generating 4,600 combat sorties, 50,000 intelligence images, delivering 100 million pounds of gas to 12,000 airborne aircraft, controlling airspace covering 2 million square miles supporting Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT and the combined defense of the Arabian Gulf.”

 

Coincidentally, Broadwell also relinquished command to Clark just a few years ago during a change of command for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California, in 2017. Broadwell and Guillot expressed full confidence in Clark as Broadwell once again passed the guidon to his successor.

 

Clark comes to ADAB from the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., where he served as the senior military assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force.

 

“Clark has been prepared by the Air Force for this command,” Guillot said. “I am confident that under his leadership, the 380th will deliver world class air power and build upon the record of exceptional results that have been the benchmark of this proud wing.”

 

Clark said he is excited to be back at the forefront of operations at Al Dhafra Air Base.

 

“I know this wing is functioning on a higher plane,” he said, “The 380th remains at a level of operational excellence and focused readiness that is unmatched across our service.”

 

Broadwell recalled the significant undertakings during the past year, including navigating the impacts of COVID-19 while hosting ten different major weapons systems and delivering on all five of the Air Force’s Core Missions. The 380th AEW executed AFCENT’s first, and second, Dynamic Force Employment missions and at one point, simultaneously supported three Combatant Commands, while continuing support to Afghanistan retrograde operations.

 

The 380th AEW carries a heavy load, but Clark is up for the challenge. He concluded the ceremony with his vision for accomplishing the wing’s “no fail” mission in the year to come.

 

“It is our responsibility and duty to always seek and maintain the highest standard,” he said. “We will not accept being second-best; we will constantly strive to improve our craft and our quality of service; we will accept nothing less than an environment that encourages resiliency and allows every single member of our joint warfighting team to thrive.”

 

The 380th AEW is a forward-deployed group of professional Airmen charged with executing the AFCENT Commander’s mission, which is to deliver decisive airpower across all five Air Force core missions, stand ready to defend the region against any adversary and develop enduring relationships with host nation/coalition partners.

 

For media, if you have further questions, contact 380 AEW Public Affairs, 380aew.pa@adab.afcent.af.mil.